It would not be summer without a trip to Brookside Gardens to see their "Wings of Fancy" butterfly show. It is a photograper's dream to see so many of these beautiful creatures all in one place. Here is a sampling from this year's show.
This one is called an American Painted Lady.
This is a Buckeye.
A slightly different view of a Tiger Swallowtail.
This one is called a New Guinea Birdwing. You really have to see it in person to appreciate its neon green and yellow markings, it is unbelieveable. While chasing this one around, I was lucky enough to get two for the price of one, but I'm afraid I don't know what speceices the black and white one is.
A Malachite.
Last but not least, here's my attempt at capturing two Queen butterflies in flight.
I say "last" but in reality I have plenty more photos from this excursion and I will probably go back again before the summer is over. I'm lucky that its only 10 minutes from where I live, but for those of you who live in the DC area, its worth a trip out to the suburbs to experience this for yourself.
words and photos © Simple Shutterbug 2012
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Can you believe I've never been out there? I will make sure to go now! ~r
In my part of the world, north-east Australia, we have the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly ... I understand it is one of our most beautiful down here. But, unfortunately, it is under threat of extinction as more and more of our tropical rainforests are cleared.
Joan: To give you a landmark , Brookside is a few minutes from the Glenmont Metro station. Let me know if you want to go, I'll meet you there :).
Kate: That is so sad to think that so many beautiful creatures may disappear from this world thanks to us humans.
BTW - Diana and Joan, I finally figured out how to resize the photos, thank you both for your help.
Ranger: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed them.
Just Jali smiling and rating of course.
Algis: Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
Christina: Glad you liked them!
Dianaani: Yay! I could hardly believe it when I say it.
Lschmoopie: Glad you liked it, its hard to focus on them, they never stop moving.
Christine: I never tire of looking at or photographing them. They really are a gift from the universe.
Jali: Thank you, glad I made someone smile.
Trudge164: These are all digital, I have a Pentax DSLR. No tripod was used ( they don't allow you to use them in the exhibit). Some are available light, I did use flash on the one you mentioned, I bracketed and ended up underexposing by 1 stop so my on camera flash wouldn't wash out the subject. Digital is wonderful because you can see the results immediately, and delete the bad ones :) .
Thanks for stopping by, hope this helps.
Pilgrim: Aww.. thank you :)
Clay ball: Thanks for stopping by and commenting, glad you liked them.
Your wonderful photos are always worthy of an EP!
Keats is a great read if your sitting in a P.U. truck.
I have been watching butterflies more than ever.
Right now they sip Lady Lace and Catnip Buds.
I recommend watching how loopy Butterflies.
Thanks for naming them. I call the white one``
``
Dizzy Moth.
Spencer wrote - Fate of the Butterfly - 1817
Keats get loopy.
Watch them fly.`
`
"What more felicity can fall to creature,
Than to enjoy delight with liberty."
I underlined that while viewing beneficial bugs.
I have the lucky fortune of a meadow driveway.
It's a hiding place to watch the western eve sun.
I need quiet. I wasn't gonna comment. Beauty.
Ode to a butterfly.
I saw you feeding.
You sip milkweed.
That's a good idea.
Live thy neighbors.