Mourning Cloak

Nymphalis antiopa

"Wings that at first appear black are really deep maroon, reflecting purple highlights as they shimmer in the sun. Their ragged, irregular margins are bordered with creamy yellow. Just inside the border is a row of gleaming, iridescent blue spots ... While never abundant in our area [Houston, TX], the mournikng cloak does occur sporadically ..."

This was the second Mourning Cloak this year. The first seemed to be older.

Photo taken with a Nikon D80, using a Nikon 180mm, f/2.8 lens.

May 5, 2007