Butterflies. " Have you seen a Buttterflies tongue before "

[John G]

I was motivated by a beautiful washed out amber evening light and headed out with the D800E + 500mm f4 AIP + TC 16A.
I was hoping to capture a couple of small birds of prey that have married and are visiting my place regularly with a unusually high
amount of cross calling between each other. The usual condition for a Blissful Marriage.
The two Butterflies were enjoying a evening drink on a not so field friendly wild flower locally known as Ragwort. 

[elsa hoffmann]

I really like this - much better than any butterfly I have ever done. The complementary colours are  pleasing too. Well done.

[John G]

Hi Elsa
          I had no idea of the outcome, as I never had the Remote Shutter Release rigged up.
          " So it was back to the YOGA board on leave the world and zone out ". Not easy to achieve sitting cross legged on the floor with a   
          Tripod set to full height 
          The moral of the story is do more YOGA, if you are a leave your remote shutter release at home type. 
          Butterflies are very aware and will regularly take flight if a shadow is cast on them.
          So this set up will keep you about 5 metresish away, giving them time to be settled and drink heartily.
 

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Your ragwort is Senecio jacobea, which makes a powerful attraction for a lot of different pollinators including butterflies. The ray flowers are extremely UV-reflective thus are easily spotted at distance for any creature having UV vision.

Nice butterfly captures, by the way. I used to exercise my 200/4 Micro-Nikkor AIS for butterflies as it gave me the required combination of detail and adequate working distance for these skittish beings. I should go out again with a TC on this lens to gain more reach?

[John G]

Hi Bjorn
            Very pleased to hear that these two images have triggered your creativity.
             Standing out with the setting sun on your back, seeing the colours and shadows change by the minute, is a reward as much as a
             pleasing capture. Go for it.

[Randy Stout]

John:

Colorful snippets of nature, one can almost imagine being there beside you taking it in.  Can't ask for more than that from a photo,

Congrats

Randy

[John G]

Hi Randy
             Thank you for taking the time to have a view and share your supportive comments.
              I,m pleased your imagination was stimulated as a result.

[Jakov Minić]

John, these are beautifully captured butterflies!