Red Admiral Butterfly

Vanessa atalanta

Photos have been downgraded in size and quality for Internet bandwidth (copyright e-barrett)

For identification of butterflies, both the top and side views are shown.
Red Admiral butterfly Red Admiral butterfly

A fresh Red Admiral butterfly (above left, February), a more faded specimen (above right) and a darker individual (below right)

They used to be all immigrants to UK but now, with warmer winters, some may hibernate here through the winter
Red Admiral butterfly Red Admiral butterfly
Red Admiral butterfly side Red Admiral butterfly closed

The colourful side view
Red Admiral butterfly face Red Admiral butterfly side
   

 

  
Red Admiral butterfly on hand
   

Above photo of Red Admiral by Bob Clark (2006) and included with his permission

Another Red Admiral by Bob Clark (2007); how does he coax these butterflies onto his hand?
   
FOREIGN RED ADMIRALS:  

Red Admiral Butterfly

Vanessa vulcania
Tenerife Red Admiral butterfly Vanessa vulcania

Tenerife variant Red Admiral Vanessa vulcania: less white on wingtips, darker red, more black on red bands -- more like chain links than red band
Vanessa vulcania Tenerife Red Admiral
Both versions of Red Admiral, atalanta and vulcania (appropriately) can be found on Tenerife
Tenerife Red Admiral butterfly Vanessa vulcania