Buffeted by the weather??

I caught this well-worn Red Admiral butterfly this afternoon close to the trail's entrance, seemingly soaking up the sunshine. I wonder if all the rain and wind had anything to do with its condition. According to one article I read, the ideal environment for a butterfly is sunny for up to six hours each day with minimal wind. Continuous rain hampers their ability to fly.

Taking a breather

Yesterday this Red Admiral butterfly flew past me, then landed on a Glossy Buckthorn bush. It spent a few moments collecting nectar from some of the tiny blossoms, then stretched out on the edge of a leaf, as seen in this shot.