And, the rest of the story… I went for a walk this morning without my camera. On the way back, about a mile and a half from home I saw this butterfly and he was hanging on tightly to that plant because of a stiff wind that was blowing. I continued home, had a quick sandwich and returned with the camera to get the photos.
I love them too. It seems that a few times each summer one will stay around close for me to get some shots (I like to use the macro lens if possible). I hope this won’t be the only time this summer!
It seemed that way. I think he was just trying to hang on in the wind and kept sliding around that stem he was on. I just kept making adjustments and shooting. I kept 18 shots that I liked.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Elizabeth. Elizabeth said: Lots of patience | Western Tiger Swallowtail | Montana Outdoors: http://is.gd/c0Kre […]
Hey, as a person who photographs butterflies often, I know it took a lot of patience on your part, too. These are excellent shots. I saw a swallowtail (yellow) the other day, but it stayed high in the trees.
This was a small one, perhaps young. We see more late in the summer when all of the flowers are blooming and that’s usually the time they allow photos. This was a rare chance.
Thanks! I love to see the Swallowtails on the lilacs, and our lilacs will start blooming in a week or two. For a long time I thought that Azaleas would not grow here, but my wife received one for Mother’s day that is supposed to do OK. I sure hope so!
Oh my goodness Terry – these are fabulous! What amazing captures! Great color and detail! whoo hoo!
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Comment by Stacey Dawn — May 8, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
Well, he was very patient. Also, hanging on for dear life in the wind.
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Comment by montucky — May 8, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
Magnificent work. I love these.
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Comment by Dave 1949 — May 8, 2010 @ 5:08 pm
Thanks Dave. I hope you’re feeling much better these days!
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Comment by montucky — May 8, 2010 @ 10:09 pm
WOW! I can’t think of a better way to spend a few hours… these photos are fantastic. Your patience paid off in a big way.
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Comment by Maureen — May 8, 2010 @ 6:28 pm
And, the rest of the story… I went for a walk this morning without my camera. On the way back, about a mile and a half from home I saw this butterfly and he was hanging on tightly to that plant because of a stiff wind that was blowing. I continued home, had a quick sandwich and returned with the camera to get the photos.
I hope you and Eric are having a great spring!
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Comment by montucky — May 8, 2010 @ 10:11 pm
bee-u-tee-ful! full of beauty! I love flutterbys!
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Comment by Tricia — May 8, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
I love them too. It seems that a few times each summer one will stay around close for me to get some shots (I like to use the macro lens if possible). I hope this won’t be the only time this summer!
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Comment by montucky — May 8, 2010 @ 10:13 pm
It is as if the butterfly is hamming for the camera. Pretty amazing pictures.
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Comment by kateri — May 8, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
It seemed that way. I think he was just trying to hang on in the wind and kept sliding around that stem he was on. I just kept making adjustments and shooting. I kept 18 shots that I liked.
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Comment by montucky — May 8, 2010 @ 10:15 pm
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Elizabeth. Elizabeth said: Lots of patience | Western Tiger Swallowtail | Montana Outdoors: http://is.gd/c0Kre […]
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Pingback by Tweets that mention Lots of patience: « Montana Outdoors -- Topsy.com — May 8, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
Wow, those are FAN-tastic!
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Comment by Candace — May 8, 2010 @ 11:44 pm
Surprising that they can control those big “fans”, isn’t it! This guy was struggling to just hang on in the wind.
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2010 @ 8:26 am
These are gorgeous! Wow! Amazing captures of the details of beautiful butterfly.
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Comment by Anna Surface — May 9, 2010 @ 5:36 am
It was a lucky find. The patterns and colors amaze me and make me wonder just how they came to be. Seems to work for them.
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2010 @ 8:29 am
Incredible shots. The detail is stunning. Way-to-Go!
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Comment by Jeff Lynch — May 9, 2010 @ 8:56 am
Thanks Jeff!
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
Ohhhh! a beautiful flutterby! Fantastic detail!
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Comment by Barbara — May 9, 2010 @ 11:03 am
For some reason I’ve never been able to get side shots of one with its wings folded. Maybe it was the wind.
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2010 @ 9:19 pm
Wow Dad!!! Amazing shots of a beautiful butterfly!! I like the last photo best. Wonderful pose. 🙂 I love you!
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Comment by Juls — May 9, 2010 @ 12:34 pm
Thanks Hon! Love you too!
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2010 @ 9:19 pm
Amazing closeups! So much detail. Plus, I learn so much reading your blog. Now I know what a swallowtail looks like. Kudos.
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Comment by victry1 — May 9, 2010 @ 6:01 pm
I love this lens (as long as the subject is very patient). A Swallowtail is a beautiful little creature.
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
Fantastic photos, great macros!!! All of them are so good.
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Comment by sartenada — May 9, 2010 @ 11:04 pm
Thank you! I have really enjoyed this macro lens: it has become my favorite lens.
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2010 @ 11:56 pm
Really enjoyed those.
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Comment by DaveABirding — May 10, 2010 @ 7:32 am
Thanks David.
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Comment by montucky — May 10, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
Love these close-ups.
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Comment by knightofswords — May 10, 2010 @ 9:15 am
Not long after buying that lens I was really hooked. I now see lots of things differently.
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Comment by montucky — May 10, 2010 @ 7:22 pm
oh wow! those are some amazing photos, and some amazing patience!
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Comment by silken — May 10, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
Thanks silken. When a butterfly will tolerate me that close, patience is replaced by amazement and excitement.
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Comment by montucky — May 10, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
Hey, as a person who photographs butterflies often, I know it took a lot of patience on your part, too. These are excellent shots. I saw a swallowtail (yellow) the other day, but it stayed high in the trees.
The top photo reminds me of a tightrope walker.
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Comment by sandy — May 10, 2010 @ 3:04 pm
This was a small one, perhaps young. We see more late in the summer when all of the flowers are blooming and that’s usually the time they allow photos. This was a rare chance.
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Comment by montucky — May 10, 2010 @ 7:26 pm
These are great photographs! Yes, patience helps!
We have yellow Swallowtail Butterflies here on the Cumberland Plateau where I live. I see them on the Azaleas and on the Lilacs.
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — May 11, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
Thanks! I love to see the Swallowtails on the lilacs, and our lilacs will start blooming in a week or two. For a long time I thought that Azaleas would not grow here, but my wife received one for Mother’s day that is supposed to do OK. I sure hope so!
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Comment by montucky — May 11, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
Wow! Wow! Wow! You’ve excelled yourself here.
🙂
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Comment by absurdoldbird — May 17, 2010 @ 6:26 am
Thanks! He posed and I just kept shooting!
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2010 @ 7:54 am
Well, he certainly was a great subject!
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Comment by scienceguy288 — May 17, 2010 @ 5:18 pm
He was that. It’s not often they do that!
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Comment by montucky — May 19, 2010 @ 7:54 am