Vanessa itea by Elkie Brooks

My daughter (Elkie Brooks, 12years) and I (Charles Brooks) are both SANE members (Surfers Appreciating Natural Environment). We had just finished attending the September SANE working bee. As we were walking back to our van through a totally revegetated area on the west side of the road we saw this Australian Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa itea). Quickly got the camera out and took about 8 shots. It allowed us to get closer and closer and I handed the camera to Elkie and she took this photograph. We were pretty stoked to say the least!

We identified the butterfly by referring to the SCIPN (Surf Coast and Inland Plans Network) Wildlife Card Collection.

The butterfly is sitting on woodchip that SANE members put down about 8 years ago. The site has been revegetated using local indigenous plants and is now a haven for native animals.