Comments on: Butterflies at the Birdathon

By: Marty

Marty — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:39:16 +0000

Great shots and a nice day of butterflies – I’ve been seeing a disturbing shortage of them and odonata down here. I’m getting concerned – this is the second year in a row of late starts for both.

By: Troy Mullens

Troy Mullens — Sun, 25 May 2008 22:35:22 +0000

Lists are great. I don’t know how many times Martha and I have gone back to old, old list to answer a question.

Great photos and a great post.

I try to visit regularily, but don’t always leave comments. Too many good blogs and so little time.

Alaska Sunday is Posted.
Come visit,
Troy and Martha

By: mon@rch

mon@rch — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:12:51 +0000

@ Sherry – thanks and glad you are finding butterflies! Must be good having different communities there!
@ Chicago – thanks for your kind words!
@ aullori – I don’t normally chase and just watch. 75% of the time they will return to the spot they were spooked if you stand still. So they end up landing right next to my feet and I slowly bring the point and shoot camera in! On occasion I will also use the 400mm which is helpful for those who probably will not return to the same spot!
@ Peter – Actually I had fallen for this trap back around the year 2000 and if you look the top of this page you will see a lep page that talks about the Butterfly studies that we are doing. Hope to work on our paper we will be publishing here soon! Also part the reason for having a butterfly user name! But for sure my specialty are birds.
@ Mary- just watching them and let them get close to you is my trick! Point and shoot lets you move your hand in close for the picture! DSLR’s unless using a telephoto is tough to capture macro shots! Don’t chase and they will retrun!
@ NatureShutterbug – Thanks and Very cool butterflies! Thanks for sharing!

By: NatureShutterbug

NatureShutterbug — Sun, 25 May 2008 03:25:59 +0000

Very nice butterfly pics. I really like the Spicebush Swallowtail. I have seen butterflies on outings this year – dominated by Variable Checkerspot – there must have been hundreds of Checkerspots spread out over a particular 5-mile stretch of road. When I saw something different it was exciting. Hopefully, I’ll get to post a few butterfly pictures next week.

By: Mary Carlson

Mary Carlson — Sun, 25 May 2008 00:30:39 +0000

I have to ditto what Lynne said: “What’s the trick to photographing butterflies? Whenever I get close they either close their wings or fly away.” That happened to me yesterday while out on a trail. And it happens here at home. I thought it was difficult to get photos of birds, but bees and butterflies just don’t cooperate – and Tom, they don’t return! lol, ;o)