chasing butterflies

denisegoldberg

When I found myself in a garden focusing on following a butterfly as it flitted between brightly colored flowers I knew a trip to a butterfly conservatory was in my future.

1) Captured in the gardens of The Stevens-Coolidge Place, a garden my camera and I visit often. I think this may be a Tiger Swallowtail.

There is a small butterfly conservatory fairly close to home but the one I am happiest visiting is Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens in South Deerfield, MA. It usually takes me just under two hours to get there; I time my drive to arrive close to opening time in the hopes of having some quiet time with the butterflies. Friday it took a little longer because I didn't realize that the bridge leading over the Connecticut River (turning south from Route 2) in Turners Falls was closed. Oops!

Once I arrived and entered the conservatory I was quite happy to stand still for a bit, watching the beautiful butterflies.

2) a glasswing butterfly

3) wings wearing bright blue! I'm sorry I wasn't able to capture this one from a better angle - unfortunately I wasn't able to wish myself taller.

4) Cairns Birdwing butterfly

5) a parrot eating and guarding his territory

6) a fan of green

7) a blue morpho butterfly, wings open. The other side of its wings are patterned in brown.

8) malachite butterfly. I always seem to see these hanging upside down.

9) a beauty in orange and black. This one didn't care to share a name with me!

10) a monarch in the garden outside

If you're interested in seeing more butterflies (and a few flowers too), please visit the gallery butterflies :: 2016.

--- Denise

Stumblebum

#1, #4 and #10 are A-mazing! Rest are nice too!clap

denisegoldberg

Stumblebum wrote: »

#1, #4 and #10 are A-mazing! Rest are nice too!

Thank you!

--- Denise

travelways

Wonderful!!!

denisegoldberg

travelways wrote: »

Wonderful!!!

Thank you Tatiana!

--- Denise

Juano

Stumblebum wrote: »

#1, #4 and #10 are A-mazing! Rest are nice too!clap

I agree! nice set

denisegoldberg

Juano wrote: »

I agree! nice set

Thank you Juano!

--- Denise

Earache

Just beyoooond gorgeous Denise!! clap

#1 is ... the composition and lighting are to-die-for!!!
In # 7 - the yellow, blue, green colors complement so well!
Good stuff!

denisegoldberg

Earache wrote: »

Just beyoooond gorgeous Denise!! clap

#1 is ... the composition and lighting are to-die-for!!!
In # 7 - the yellow, blue, green colors complement so well!
Good stuff!

Thank you Eric!

I find the butterflies outside to move a lot faster, can't believe I was able to catch the beauty in #1 standing still! I'm always happy to try to catch a butterfly with my camera.

--- Denise

torags

Nice series

I have a local trip scheduled to shoot the Monarchs in Socal (after seeing some shots here)

denisegoldberg

torags wrote: »

Nice series

I have a local trip scheduled to shoot the Monarchs in Socal (after seeing some shots here)

Thank you!

I'm looking forward to seeing your Monarch photos.

--- Denise

torags

I got one when it was spectating polo

I don't think it's a Monarch, but it's a nice speciman

The design on it's butt is supposed to frighten off bats (according to a butterfly farm manager)

denisegoldberg

torags wrote: »

I got one when it was spectating polo

I don't think it's a Monarch, but it's a nice speciman

The design on it's butt is supposed to frighten off bats (according to a butterfly farm manager)

Nice one! You're right, it's not a Monarch. I believe #10 in my initial post is a Monarch.

I think your butterfly is a Papilio machaon (Old World Swallowtail).

I've found this site helpful in identifying butterflies - http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/.

--- Denise

denisegoldberg

Yesterday afternoon I was soaking in the flowers at my favorite local garden when two butterflies agreed to pose for photos.

Tiny and perched on a soon-to-open zinnia:

Beautifully patterned, on a fully opened zinnia:

--- Denise

Tony Britton

Hi Denise,

All so beautifully photographed. There's an elegant, dreamlike quality about your exposures and compositions that is truly fantastic.

Best regards,

Tony

denisegoldberg

Tony Britton wrote: »

All so beautifully photographed. There's an elegant, dreamlike quality about your exposures and compositions that is truly fantastic.

Thank you Tony!

--- Denise

denisegoldberg

During two garden visits this past week I once again had the opportunity to chase butterflies. Sometimes I'm lucky, sometimes not. Here are a few favorites from my latest encounters.

In the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens:

In the gardens of Stevens-Coolidge Place:

--- Denise

torags

More nice stuff...

Thank you Denise they're a pleasure to see

denisegoldberg

torags wrote: »

More nice stuff...

Thank you Denise they're a pleasure to see

Thanks Rags - they are a pleasure to chase too!

--- Denise