Tuesday, September 13, 2011

macro butterfly luck

I finally had my macro lens with me and on my camera at the right time. I was taking photos of a tiny portulaca in my mother in law's garden...

...when two butterflies came to visit. They stayed a while and they were very cooperative.

kim klassen's broken book texture at soft light 100% (masked off flower and butterfly)
At first I thought they were monarchs, but after doing a little research I discovered their name to be gulf fritillary or agraulis vanillae. Apparently there are a lot of orange butterflies that get mistaken for monarchs.

The underside of their wings looks quite different from the upper side.
But they are beautiful from every angle.

Oh, and the reason I was doing the research in the first place was to find out what the butterflies were doing so intently with the flowers. Turns out they don't do any pollinating. They leave that totally up to the bees. The nectar from the flowers is their food, so they were just eating their lunch (and looking pretty).


Linking up with texture tuesday where the theme is the verb 'do' and also at sweet shot tuesday.


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59 comments:

  1. helenaSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    stunning butterfly photos - such beautiful colours

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  2. Seraphinas PhantasieSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    Wonderful Macro shots from the butterfly and his flower-love. Great work !

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  3. StashaSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    What a little poser this butterfly was! Wonderful shot, his colors go so well with the flowers. and that edit with bokeh theme is dreamy. Lovely Deb!

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  4. Mira CrispSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:20 AM

    wow! these are some of the best shots I've seen lately. wonderful job Deb!

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  5. Seeing Each DaySeptember 13, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    These photos could easily be submitted by 'National Geographic' - truly, they're so lovely. That last one - you simply must get that enlarged and framed. I really get so much from seeing inspiring shots like these. Thanks.

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  6. tinajoSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:23 AM

    So beautiful Deb - you´ve got talent! :-)

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  7. Nadege,September 13, 2011 at 3:29 AM

    Stunning images. The details, the compositions and the bokeh, I love them all.

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  8. LesleySeptember 13, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    These are fabulous,Deb-absolutely amazing!

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  9. EllieSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Wow Deb, these are wonderful shots. You have captured these butterflies beautifully.Super shots!!!

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  10. Nics CahillSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    Stunning, and inspiring. I'd love to see these shots blown up as posters, they are so beautiful. Happy Tuesday, Nics

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  11. Tamar SBSeptember 13, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    These were so great to look at early on a Tuesday morning! And you are so making me want a macro lens!! Gorgeous!!

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  12. KiaSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Ciao Deb. Gorgeous butterfly photos, love the colors of the wings. :)
    Thanks for sharing all this gorgeousness!

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  13. PradeepaSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Fabulous set of shots.

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  14. Secret Mom ThoughtsSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Fabulous shots. The 3rd is my favorite. You can really see the butterfly's face.

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  15. 4 Lettre WordsSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Wow, wow, wow, Deb! These are stunning.

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  16. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Oh! how fortunate for you that they came along! these are such gorgeous, crisp, clear shots with amazing detail! congrats!

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  17. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    They are most welcome to come have lunch and look pretty anytime - they do it so well.
    Your photos are just gorgeous! Beautiful flowers and butterflies. Some days things seem to come together well for great photos, this was obviously one of those days.

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  18. TexWisGirlSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    celebutterties... just eating lunch and having to put up with the paparazzi!

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Wow! Those are some amazing photos!! So glad you were there at the right time.

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  20. EMilySeptember 13, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    oh wow, did you ever get lucky! Right place, right time...right equipment! Great shots! Love the one for texture tuesday!

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  21. SusanSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Talk about perfect timing! Out of the park Deb!!

    Love the colors. Just amazing!!

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  22. ColleenSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    What wonderful luck! These are beautiful shots! Did you know that there is a Macro Monday linkup out there? These would work perfectly for that.

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  23. Lindsey BuckSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    Oh I am SO jealous! What beautiful shots; and wonderfully edited too. Dang, you make me want to be a better photographer.

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  24. DeannaSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Lucky you that you had your macro, lucky us that you are sharing your images. Terrific series!!

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  25. Leah CSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Beautiful capture:)

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  26. LizSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    awesome captures.

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  27. JeskaSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Lovely!!

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  28. Gina KleinworthSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    These are BEAUTIFUL Deb & the detail is amazing. You are certainly rockin' that macro lens.

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  29. Ashley SiskSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    That was incredible luck - love these shots!

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  30. JessSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Oh, these photos have a perfect dof and such an incredible softness to them. Beautiful!

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  31. Julie Legg PhotoSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Fantastic shots!! What a colorful butterfly and the background is gorgeous too. Love the softness, everything!

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  32. MichelleSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    This is such a delightful post. Beautiful images!

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  33. pattySeptember 13, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    beautiful, deb! great captures!... now i'm going to tool around and see what equipment you use! :))

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  34. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    Gorgeous! #4 is my favorite! :)

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  35. Gardening in a SandboxSeptember 13, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Spectacular. The lovely butterfly must have been posing just for you. V

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  36. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Beautiful, you put my butterfly photos to shame. I need to get a macro lens! I was actually wondering what the butterflies were doing the other day when it looked like they were dancing on the flowers thanks for answering that for me!

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  37. Kristi {at} Live and Love...Out LoudSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    These are stunning! You know, this reminds me of a quote from Ansel Adams: "Sometimes I arrive just when God's ready to have someone click the shutter." Love these shots...

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  38. CarmenSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    oh my! Gorgeous shots!! Great macro pics!! Thank you so much for your sweet comment! ;)

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  39. KathleenSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Oh my, what absolute gorgeous photos -- it is definitely lucky to be there, camera ready, when the butterflies show up, but the artistry is all yours!

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  40. Southern GalSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Amazing shots. Don't you just love it when God works things out like that?

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  41. Jennifer@threedogsinagardenSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    What a glorious butterfly!

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  42. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Swoon! Each and every shot is lovely, just lovely!

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  43. LisaSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Don't you just love it when you have the right stuff at the right time.

    AND don't you love it when you look that pretty eating lunch. :)

    Great post ~ Thanks for the cool info.

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  44. Kim StevensSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    I love the gulf fritilary because they usually are so cooperative, unlike the monarch. Because of our drought I have had hardly any butterflies in my garden, but maybe when my purple trailing lantana gets a wee bit bigger and gets more blooms, AND when it cools off a bit, then maybe just maybe I'll get some butterflies!

    Fantastic shots Deb!

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  45. CathySeptember 13, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    these photos turned out lovely! what a treat it must have been to have it sit long enough to get all the different angles.

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  46. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    These are awesome Deb. Gorgeous job!

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  47. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    What amazing shots! I love when you have the perfect timing and tools for capturing a moment. The last photo is my favorite. The depth of field and color is beautiful!

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  48. FYHSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    Awesome...love the different angles!

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  49. ReenaSeptember 14, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    In the right place at the right time! Good for you! Beautiful shots Deb.

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  50. faith ann raiderSeptember 14, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    BEAUTIFUL photos!! Love your blog button!! I added it to my blog :)

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  51. The Artful DivaSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Amazing close up shots of the butterfly. Your texturizing really works on these photos.

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  52. Rosie@leavesnbloomSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    What a moment you captured Deb. They are so colourful, their markings are so intricate aswell and the texture doesn't detract in anyway from the butterfly.


    Thinking of you and the boys today (((hugs)))

    Rosie xxx

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  53. TaraSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    wow! those macros are gorgeous!

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  54. UnknownSeptember 14, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Wow! You got so many incredible shots! Aren't macro lenses fun?

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  55. ShonEjaiSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Isn't it nice when butterflies stick around for a photoshoot and actually seem to pose for you?! Great shots!

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  56. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    You have very beautiful pictures here

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  57. BirgittaSeptember 17, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Stunning macros!

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  58. KDWSeptember 18, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    OH MY!

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  59. LoriOctober 13, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I took pictures of some yesterday. I haven't seen a Monarch this year either. I went out there to take pictures thinking it was a Monarch, to my surprise it wasn't!
    These are beautiful shots, and I love portulaca, they are so beautiful!

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