A few from her 'kingdom', yesterday morning…

Pics 1&2:Empress Antonia Butterfly Asterocampa antonia a 'true' butterfly and part of the 'Brush-footed' family. The adults drink from scat, mud, tree sap and particularly like overripe fruit!!!

Pic 3:The purple/pink wildflower is a Trailing Four O'Clock Allionia incarnata, hosting a Progressive Bee Fly Exoprosopa spp. sipping nectar. (I'm not sure about the id of the little fly on the flower.)

Pic 4: Another Progressive Bee Fly Exoprosopa spp. sipping nectar , this time from a Rambling Milkweed Sarcostemma hirtellum. Also, note the small yellow Aphid Mites on the stems of the plant.

Butterflies utilize milkweed as a food and for defensive puposes. Feeding on them makes them bitter tasting to predators.

All cropped
All handheld

Very nice. I'm surprised that no one has commented on these image. Beautiful color and detail. Wonderful DOF for hand holding. What technique did you use here?

Great Captures C.J so much detail especially in the eyes :)

I like that last one - nice soothing lighting and colors. I especially like the fact that that one was shot "at their level" - making it feel more intimate.

CJ, These are some great images and your photographic eye is definately getting better! The commentary and ID's are very helpful too!