Bug Squad
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Last of Its Generation

Look, over there!

It's Thanksgiving Week and there's a newly eclosed Gulf Fritillary on a tattered pink zinnia "that looks as it has seen better days," as my mother used to say.

The orange of autumn exploding, the silver of yultide beckoning. Silver and bold...

And here's an orange butterfly nectaring on a pink zinnia...

We usually see all life stages of the Gulf Frits, aka "passion butterflies," on their host plant, the passionflower vine (Passiflora) from early summer to late fall in our Vacaville garden.   

This one is the last of the season, the last of its generation, the last to show its colors.

Buddy, it's too late to find a mate, and quite late to come to the table for a little nectar.

On this Thanksgiving Day, as we give thanks for the gifts of life, life brings us more gifts. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

A newly eclosed Gulf Fritillary suns itself on a zinnia in a Vacaville garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A newly eclosed Gulf Fritillary suns itself on a zinnia in a Vacaville garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Gulf Fritillary shows its silver-spangled wings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Gulf Fritillary shows its silver-spangled wings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A splash of yellow behind the Gulf Fritillary. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A splash of yellow behind the Gulf Fritillary. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)