Butterfly portraits

[Son_of_Thor]

This is a longer-term project for me. I've been photographing Butterflies for years and seem to have developed a bit of a style, so I've decided to start a thread here to showcase them - I'll add the collection so far and then periodically add to it from there (maybe one or two per year at the current rate!) I take 100's of Butterfly photos, but very few I'm actually happy with (apparently I'm far too fussy). Most of these were taken in the UK, with a few from French holidays.

Here's the first in the series, a backlit Green-veined White on Verbena, taken in 2020 during a rare trip out to an NT property in Yorkshire. This one is where the idea started really...

Backlit white butterfly by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Gav.]

I'm looking forward to seeing your images, Si

 

[Norkie]

I'm looking forward to seeing your images, Si

 

[Son_of_Thor]

I'm looking forward to seeing your images, Si

Thanks for the encouragement chaps - I've been meaning to do this for ages and never got around to it. More to follow...

 

[ajophotog]

A beautiful Image Si

 

[Son_of_Thor]

A beautiful Image Si

Thanks Alby

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Here's the next couple in the series, a 'his and hers' combo, taken in 2021

Backlit Male Orange Tip roosting on grass seed head by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

Roosting Female Orange Tip by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

The first taken on a local park boundary and the second at a local nature reserve

 

[ajophotog]

That first one is a stunner Si

 

[Son_of_Thor]

That first one is a stunner Si

Thanks, the lighting was about perfect. The 2nd is rather more subtle

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Here's the next installment, a lovely Common Blue from a local NR. Another from 2021

Yet another Brockholes car park Common Blue by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Gav.]

Here's the next installment, a lovely Common Blue from a local NR. Another from 2021

This is Beautiful, Si

 

[Son_of_Thor]

This is Beautiful, Si

Thanks Gav, this is one of my faves and an evolution from graduated backgrounds (as seen in the Orange Tip images)

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Next up, another 2021 image (it really was a good Butterfly season for me). A Small Copper, again from a local NR

Another Small Copper by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Dale.]

Excellent start, I'm looking forward to this one.

They are suprisingly difficult things to photograph, especially in the warm conditions we've had this year.

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Excellent start, I'm looking forward to this one.

They are suprisingly difficult things to photograph, especially in the warm conditions we've had this year.

Thanks Dale. They are certainly a challenge! Either difficult to spot when still or they seemingly never land

 

[Son_of_Thor]

The last of my Butterfly portraits from 2021 - a Skipper on a grass seed head from later in the Summer

Skipper on a grass seedhead by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

On to 2022 now and an overwintering Comma on Catkins from the end of March

Comma on Willow by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Not 100% sure on Id on this one, I think it may be a Small Heath. One from a 2022 family holiday to France

Think it's a Small Heath by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Gav.]

Not 100% sure on Id on this one, I think it may be a Small Heath.

I think you're right on the ID.

 

[Son_of_Thor]

I think you're right on the ID.

Thanks Gav, good to confirm

 

[Son_of_Thor]

This is my fav, a Brown Argus taken in Northern France

Brown Argus by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Something slightly different this time, one from a family visit to a Sunflower meadow

Another Red Admiral by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Not got around to posting anything for a while.. still on the back catalogue - this the last one from 2023

Meadow Browns in cop by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Gav.]

Not got around to posting anything for a while.. still on the back catalogue - this the last one from 2023

Meadow Browns in cop by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

Beautiful tones, Si.

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Beautiful tones, Si.

Thanks Gav, followed these two around for quite a while til they settled somewhere photogenic

 

[Gav.]

Thanks Gav, followed these two around for quite a while til they settled somewhere photogenic

Feel your pain, can feel like hours waiting results were worth it.

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Feel your pain, can feel like hours waiting results were worth it.

It can.. these two were fairly easy to track at least

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Been busy, so I seem to have neglected this somewhat. The first one from 2024 (after my switch from DSLR to mirrorless). Taken on a Family holiday to the Loire region of France

Olive Skipper on Ox-eye Daisy by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Another from France, a Painted Lady on Privet blossom

Painted Lady on Privet by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Another from the French back catalogue, a Marsh Fritillary

Marsh fritillary on Plantain by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Last one of my 2024 Butterfly images and the last from France

Scarce Swallowtail nectaring on Privet by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

This is the last one I'll be sharing for a good while I suspect, just don't seem to have found the time or inclination to head out this year (and the weather hasn't been great in the North West). One from a trip over the hills to a more sunny Yorkshire earlier in the Summer

Gatekeeper in a Summer meadow by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

Roll on next Summer, and hopefully a bit more motivation to get out there

 

[skullfunkerry]

Only just found this thread. These are stunning! Apologies for flooding your notifications with "Kerry liked your post" again and again

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Only just found this thread. These are stunning! Apologies for flooding your notifications with "Kerry liked your post" again and again

Thanks for the kind words. I take loads of Butterfly photos, but only a handful I'm actually pleased with.

That's the sort of spam I can cope with

 

[Son_of_Thor]

Opportunities to get out and about this year have been few and far between, especially in reasonable weather. Truth be told I've mostly been concentrating on landscape stuff, but have decided to try and make more of an effort to get out and about looking for Butterflies. Finally got off my bottom for a few half days in search of these little gems, firstly in the Lakes and more recently (and fruitfully) the West Pennine Moors. A Green Hairstreak sheltering amongst the Bilberry on a cool day

Green Hairstreak on the West Pennine Moors by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr

 

[Son_of_Thor]

One from a NT garden in Devon. There seem to be Painted Ladies everywhere this year

Painted Lady by Simon Lundbeck, on Flickr