23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Northern Crescent, and Silver Spotted Skipper Butterflies

I discovered these two small butterflies while walking in the woods on a cloudy afternoon. At first I wished they could have landed closer together on this picture, but it was fun to see the dried striped Plantain leaf between them that had an ant nestled inside it. The leaf had the shape of a 'Chipmunk's head' and the ant resembled an eye with eye lashes. My late father enjoyed seeing the unusual in nature too. Although Dad was not a photographer, he loved to express his creativity through his wood carvings! I shot this image on Father's Day June 15, 2025 and saved it to submit in memory of him. At the end of this photo session I think these butterflies wanted me to know they had other things to do than to pose for pictures:-) The Northern Crescent Butterfly flew over to the Silver Spotted Skipper, then brushed against it and they flew away together. It happened so quickly that unfortunately I didn't react soon enough to capture their departure Small things matter in nature for what can be seen.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Ellsworth, Wi, United States of America
Camera: COOLPIX P1000
Copyright: © Andrea Petersen