The butterfly in my avatar seems to look a lot like this one: http://www.butterfliesandmoths...
Agraulis vanillae
Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Is it the same? And, if so, what's a Costa Rican butterfly doing 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean? Do they really migrate that far. I can't believe they live long enough to get here. Thanks for any information.

Well, Costa Rica is on the Pacific Ocean, too Carol. Maybe it got caught up in that big hurricane they had in Mexico, and swept off course? (Hurricane Patricia, last October)

If only butterflies could tell us stories, huh?

Costa Rica? Pacific Ocean? Well, duh. I was thinking Cuba or something I guess.

Carol, that's a Gulf Fritillary and they don't migrate. If you click on the link you posted from BAMONA, scroll on down the page and look at the map. See all those orange dots? That's how spread out the range is for the Gulf Frit. Also, notice the section that says: Range: South America north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to the southern United States. Wanders north to the central United States; rare northward.

Oh, ok. The butterfly is right at home. I haven't seen it for a few days, tho. Must study up on butterflies.