Take 5: Butterfly Fancy

Warm weather and sunshine bring forth a burst of pollen- and nectar-heavy wildflowers this time of year, and with them, a rainbow of colorful butterflies. We tend to associate butterflies with sunny meadows—and rightly so—but did you know that butterflies live in a broad spectrum of habitats including forests, heathlands, bogs, swamps, even salt marshes? In fact, you can spot butterflies wherever caterpillar food plants and sources of nectars for adults are found.

Learn more about butterflies or join an upcoming program on butterflies at Broadmoor in Natick (for adults or families), at Felix Neck in Edgartown (children 3-5 with an adult), or at Boston Nature Center in Mattapan (adults), and enjoy these five lovely images of butterflies from past Photo Contest entrants.

Have a beautiful butterfly shot of your own? Submit it to the 2016 Picture This photo contest, open now!