Agraulis vanillae

This is the Gulf Fritillary, sometimes called the Passion Butterfly. (Family Nymphalidae, sub-family Heliconiinae.) Earlier this month and throughout most of September there were quite a few around here. Evidently, they aren't easily startled, and were fairly easy to photograph. They fly pretty high above the ground compared to lots of other butterflies I've studied.

Here's a close up of the underside of both the upper and lower wings. Notice the dark 'eyespot' on the third and largest white oval marking on the lower wing. A very distinguishing characteristic.

Psyche

This picture was inspired by C.S. Lewis's novel, 'Till We Have Faces.' Though you may have noticed that it was modeled, to a degree, after Dante Rosseti's 'Astarte.' It was done with acrylics.

The Holy War

Out of the storm of the new born night

Down from the doorway of shadow,

Slung from the shore of the shining sea

Fashioned of beauty and brilliancy

The City of Splendor and Light.

They were the first of the Followers

Born of the dust of the darkness

Blessed with the gift of the lasting life

Clothed in the glory of unblemished white

The Children of Heaven and Earth.

Deep in the shade of the Undying Dead

Spirit of Shadow and Deathlight

From the depths of the void of the Universe

Bound with the plague of the Infinite Curse

The Demon of Darkness and Dread.

Up from the deeps of the Fallen Sea

He came to the city of Mansoul

City of Splendor and City of Light

Set on the crest of the Shining Heights

A city unsullied and free.

Into their city he sent them a Spell

He sent them a Word of Evil

They opened their gates to the Ultimate Lie

They slept with the Shade of the Lustful Night

And the First of the Followers Fell.

Beyond the edge of the Universe

High in the seat of Deep Heaven

The Lover looked down on the City of Light

And the Stars of the Morning watched Him cry

The King of the Last and the First.

The Rage of His Terrible Sword awoke

And He gathered the Army of God

But the Men who had fallen did not hear

They turned away from the Holy Tears

And the heart of the Lover broke.

They shut their doors in the Lover’s face

They closed their minds to His Name

But He splintered the walls of the city He loved

And He shattered the strength of the Evil One

And He burst the bars of their gates.

He took the Demon of Darkness and Hell

And flung him into the Void

They trembled before the wrath of his sword

But clear on the dawning wind they heard

The laughter of Immanuel.