This individual was sunning itself on the ground on a cool morning.  There was a tremendous population boom of Painted Ladies late this summer, and in spite of a few night-time frosts, many Painted Ladies were still flying in mid-October.  
 

More Painted Lady photos

This Painted Lady visited asters in our front yard and seemed very fresh and tame; the wings were still slightly soft.  I coaxed it from a flower onto my finger where it remained for at least 5 minutes before flying away.  Notice its extended proboscis getting moisture from my finger.