Gulf Fritillary on
lantana bloom, Photo by Walter Skupien
During a bridge walk in September, walking buddy Ann and I were amazed at the abundance of bright orange and black butterflies whizzing by from west to east across the bridge.
Their color at first
made me think that the monarch migration had arrived on the Mississippi Gulf
Coast. Nope. They were Gulf fritillaries, on their annual migration from
southeastern states to South Florida.
When we took the
steps down from the bridge’s pedestrian lane, fritillaries covered the white
flowers next to the steps. The butterflies were taking a rest and nectar break,
flitting from bloom to bloom. I am not sure if they were actually imbibing, but
it looked as if they were.
Ann held my gait belt
while I maneuvered on an uneven surface, trying to capture a useable image of
the brightly colored insects. There were also Common Buckeye
butterflies sharing the flowers.
Attempts to position
my point-and-shoot Canon close to the moving targets, to steady the camera, to keep
my balance, and to actually get a butterfly in the frame just didn’t work.
Although the effort
was probably an excellent stroke recovery balancing exercise, the photographic
exercise was pretty much a bust. But it was a fun bust.
Here is sample of my
flutterby fragments:
Rather than
discouragement, my photo efforts resulted in an acute attack of
butterfly mania. I managed to suck Hubby into my new obsession. The result was a trip
eight days later to Mobile Botanical Gardens for a Saturday morning butterfly
program. I will post more about that pleasurable experience later.
Hubby Walter captured butterfly and other images that he posted here in his chronicle of our trip to the botanical
gardens.
At the botanical gardens
I did get a few butterfly shots, although the fritillaries were so fast and
stayed so far away that I had more success with the Common Buckeye
butterflies. The buckeyes shared the fritillaries’ attraction to lantana but
perched in one place longer and didn’t startle as easily as the fritillaries.
Practice makes perfect! Beautiful butterflies!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I was just thinking how gorgeous your photos were when you reminded me that you are still recovering from you stroke. I never would have known.
ReplyDeleteI am mad about botanic gardens. I didn't know Mobile had one. Got to get there some day. I love subtropical gardens.
ReplyDeleteBTW your shot of the Fritillary scooting off the frame is very Impressionistic (capturing a moment in time). Love it. Dianne
Your butterfly shots are just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI often find the shots that weren't quite what I planned become the most interesting and remarkable, just as with yours. I like what you got.
ReplyDeleteHere's a tip I learned .... When trying to capture quickly moving butterflies or hummingbirds, I set the camera for repeating shots. I suspect your camera has it. Mine is a Canon Power Shot with "continuous shooting." I put it in that mode and just hold down the button. More half my shots are keepers, and only a few are blurry or missed the subject to be disposable. Another thought, do you use a tripod? I know it's another thing to carry, but they make very lightweight ones that might help.
Keep shooting!!
our yard is always full of the gulfs and they are wonderful. but i have only ever seen one buckeye here. this one is just so pretty. what a fun way to get your rehab kick started. and nice to have someone to hold your belt while you do it. great shot, that first one is gorgeous. he done good
ReplyDeleteTerrific shots Linda.
ReplyDeleteButterflies can be so uncooperative sometimes. They just flit around so fast.
I thought the underside of the wings was super.
Keep on snapping. You are doing great.