This Monarch arrived early in the morning just as the sun was getting up into the sky and it took a relaxed tour of my echinacea. Since I am teaching myself to use the manual settings on my camera, it was nice to have a cooperative subject.
I love how the body polka-dots coordinate with the design on the outer edges of the wings. Reminds me of a woman dressed to kill with matching scarf and shoes!
Finally, a look at the whole package.
Look how the sunlight shines right through some places on the wings.
The butterfly hung around the coneflowers for a long time, allowing the clumsy left-handed photographer plenty of time to shoot. Unlike other butterflies that dart around frantically, the Monarch can afford a leisurely float from flower to flower since it tastes terrible and predators avoid it.
I hope he(she) stays all summer. I planted a second butterfly bush, some more butterfly weed, lobelia, flocks, snapdragons and a trumpet vine to entice the Lepidoptera to visit. These same flowers will also bring in a few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds later in July. (I hope.)
Today's Thought -
Thank you God for this Monarch Butterfly, decorating my garden with elegant symmetry.
great pics, nice job with the manual camera shooting
ReplyDeleteIs the butterfly on your butterfly bush? I've wanted to buy one but hadn't move forward yet. Your photos are striking for a left handed shooter and a new camera. What kind of camera is it? I love shooting, mostly water and sky because I have no garden yet, and my writing/self-publishing have taken residency in the front seat. Your polka-dot simile brought a smile. Nice blog! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, thank you for your kind words. It's so nice to 'meet' you.
DeleteThe flowers are purple cone flowers , not butterfly bush. I do have two butterfly bushes and the butterflies (and hummers) love them.
My camera is a Canon SX30IS and I've had it for a few years. It can be used on auto or manual settings. The biggest disadvantage is, I can't change to a more powerful lens. The lens is fixed. That is a problem when I try to shoot birds. However, it is easier to carry and I chose it because it was the easiest camera to manipulate as a lefty!
Good luck attracting butterflies and shooting them.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou'd never know that was a new camera. Those photos are great!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I've had the camera for awhile but I've mostly used the automatic settings. It has taken me this long to try the manual settings!
DeleteThese are great photos, Barbara! Like Nancy, I liked the polka dot comments. It struck me, too, how much like stained glass windows the butterfly's wings are.
ReplyDeleteThanks you Denise. Welcome to my blog. The stained glass window effect is even more inspiring when the light comes through the wings! Beautiful creatures, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteOstatnie zdjęcie jest wspaniałe, skrzydełka są ślicznie oświetlone promieniami słońca. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteThe last photo is great, the wings are beautifully lit by the sun. Yours.
Thank you. I love these butterflies.
ReplyDelete