American painted ladies (Vanessa virginiensis) are all over the place right now. Like the rest of our beautiful butterflies, they are taking advantage of the huge numbers of blooming wildflowers that are everywhere. We’re between the spring blooms and the summer blooms with quite a few of both around at this point. Painted ladies, also known as painted beauties or American ladies, are members of the brushfooted butterfly family which also includes red admirals and common buckeyes, among others. This one was one of about a dozen that were flying around in the blackjack flowers in my front yard last week. The mild winter we had last year meant that the blackjacks never died back completely, so they are blooming very well and very early this year. That may also be part of the reason for so many butterflies. Regardless of the reason or reasons, I’m not complaining.