Tag Archives: Swallowtail
My First Giant Swallowtail
The backyard butterfly haven is paying off in large dividends this year. This big beauty stopped by briefly – long enough for me to capture a few shots – then off he went, fluttering his wings so fast that only in the photos could I see that this was a battle-scarred veteran.
Travel Theme: Simplify
This is one of my favorite poses, second only to that moment when a butterfly peeks at me over the top of a flower.
Butterflies are complex beauties, such as this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with many design elements competing with the surroundings. One of the tricks I have found when photographing them is to simplify the background as much as possible.
Sometimes simplification takes the route of minimizing color and background complexity.
When the background is busy, try to use a low depth of field.
Ok, so that sounds all intentional and designerly; in reality, sometimes you only get a fleeting moment in which to point and start shooting, hoping for the best. But then, wow is it fun when you realize you have a winner!
I was getting all wrapped up in the technicalities of butterfly chasing today when suddenly I realized I needed to lower the lens and simply enjoy them fluttering about my head. That is the true beauty of butterflies.
My childhood summers came flooding back. In that moment I experienced the simplification many of us long for.
So, stop and enjoy what you are photographing. Simplify and enjoy the impressions of life.
This post is a part of a weekly travel theme (Simplify) challenge by Where’s My Backpack.
Perfection on the Wing
I never tire of stalking and photographing these gorgeous Eastern Tiger Swallowtails. This one who visited me this morning is perfection itself.
Black Beauty
The Unfolding
Black Swallowtails
Swallowtails (as well as other Southern butterflies) in the Northern states are an indication of climate change according to an MSNBC report. Maybe I am unofficially documenting the effects of global warming.
Update: Later in the month I photographed a Black Swallowtail’s caterpillar!