When you imagine an insect, you probably think of some creepy-crawly, hideous creature that makes irritating buzzing noises or always pops up much too close to your head when you least expect it. But not all insects were made equal – butterflies are also insects, and we associate these beauties with spring, sunshine, flowers and loveliness. Their metamorphosis from caterpillar to gorgeous butterfly is often used as an inspirational metaphor. Our photographers, too, seem to be fans of these little flying canvases, because we had a wealth of images to choose from for this selection. Enjoy some of our loveliest butterfly photos below.
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18 Gorgeous Photos of Butterflies
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A Gulf fritillary butterfly sips nectar from a bright pink flower.
A Gulf fritillary butterfly sips nectar from a bright pink flower. Read less
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From up close this small skipper butterfly looks a lot more insect-like.
From up close this small skipper butterfly looks a lot more insect-like. Read less
by Sam Fabian
A conspicuously patterned butterfly strikes down on a blooming flower.
A conspicuously patterned butterfly strikes down on a blooming flower. Read less
A colony of Monarch butterflies spends spring in California, nestled on a pine tree.
A colony of Monarch butterflies spends spring in California, nestled on a pine tree. Read less
A geranium bronze butterfly has landed on a purple daisy.
A geranium bronze butterfly has landed on a purple daisy. Read less
A well-camouflaged Brimstone butterfly gets ready to land on a sweet pea flower.
A well-camouflaged Brimstone butterfly gets ready to land on a sweet pea flower. Read less
by Mark Horton
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The beautiful pale blue wings of this butterfly complement the lilac of the thistle flower perfectly.
The beautiful pale blue wings of this butterfly complement the lilac of the thistle flower perfectly. Read less
by Alison Lomax
A white and yellow butterfly flits daintily from one flower to the next.
A white and yellow butterfly flits daintily from one flower to the next. Read less
by Kerri Farley
This is a male common blue butterfly; despite their name, the females are mostly brown.
This is a male common blue butterfly; despite their name, the females are mostly brown. Read less
The aptly named glasswinged butterfly can be found in Central and South America.
The aptly named glasswinged butterfly can be found in Central and South America. Read less
A lovely orange butterfly sits on a stalk as the morning dew shimmers in the background.
A lovely orange butterfly sits on a stalk as the morning dew shimmers in the background. Read less
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A cream-coloured butterfly rests its wings as it floats along the river on a fallen leaf.
A cream-coloured butterfly rests its wings as it floats along the river on a fallen leaf. Read less
by HOFHAUSER
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