A Few Shots from Nightingale's Garden

pathfinder

We are finally beginning to see more butterflies. I think the flooding this spring had a negative effect on the insect population, I have never so few skippers. Here are a few shots from the last few days - 5D, 20mm extension tube, Tamron 180 macro


a pollen gathering bee




A flower past its prime




A swallowtail upside down




Another pollen gathering bee



Comments and critiques gratefully entertained:thumb

liewwk

clean and sharp images

Lord Vetinari

Lovely series- esp like the 2nd bee shot.
Brian v.

GOLDENORFE

good shots, like last bee shot best.
phil
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenorfe/

Skippy

pathfinder wrote:

We are finally beginning to see more butterflies. I think the flooding this spring had a negative effect on the insect population, I have never so few skippers. Here are a few shots from the last few days - 5D, 20mm extension tube, Tamron 180 macro


a pollen gathering bee
A flower past its prime
A swallowtail upside down
Another pollen gathering bee
Comments and critiques gratefully entertained

Hi Jim, I like all these shots you've posted, especially the last one of the bee, that's a really nice shot that one

Those Swallow Tails are so pretty, will there be many butterflies etc around in UTAH at the time of year we will be there??

Lovely series Jim ... Skippy
.

pathfinder

Thanks for looking guys and gals.

Skippy,

I am not certain how many butterflies we will see in the desert in Moab. I certainly see butterflies well into October here in Indiana, but I am not certain about Moab. Along the river, where we are staying, with the higher moisture levels, there may well be some. We can hope, eh, Skippy? I hope you are feeling much better.

I am glad everyone liked the bees. I rather like the tones in the flower, myself.

swintonphoto

The second image - the lone flower- is beautiful. Wonderful gentle colors, and excellent use of depth of field & composition.

Elaine

The colors in the flower shot are extra special! That background color is gorgeous and complements the petals so well. The bees are SOOO sharp and bright! Brilliant! And the butterfly (on a butterfly bush?) is a unique perspective. Wonderful set!

David_S85

Nice work, Jim. Like the others are say'in - nice, sharp and contrasty.

We aren't seeing as many butterflies or dragons this year either.

pathfinder

I am kind of surprised that there has been little or no public discussion about the decrease in butterflies and skippers. I am used to seeing dozens of skippers on a single butterfly bush in our backyard ( Nightingale's garden ) and now I see maybe one at a time. I have only sees a very few butterflies also. The change is quite dramatic to me, particularly in June and early July. They do seem a little more frequent now than several weeks ago.

Elaine

pathfinder wrote:

I am kind of surprised that there has been little or no public discussion about the decrease in butterflies and skippers. I am used to seeing dozens of skippers on a single butterfly bush in our backyard ( Nightingale's garden ) and now I see maybe one at a time. I have only sees a very few butterflies also. The change is quite dramatic to me, particularly in June and early July. They do seem a little more frequent now than several weeks ago.

Hmm...I've felt quite the opposite around here. I've been seeing multiple butterflies and dragonflies every day. I've only lived in this particular spot for 2 1/2 years, and this year I have more flowers in bloom than ever before, so maybe that has something to do with it? I've not noticed a shortage, but I guess that doesn't mean there isn't one.