Saturday, September 6, 2008

Black Swallowtail/ Camera Critters

Taken in early August, this photo is proof that butterflies existed in EG a mere month ago.

Way, way back in early August, butterflies were plentiful in the fields around East Gwillimbury and also in my gardens. And then, poof! they suddenly vanished. (The butterflies, that is.) Do you suppose the nasty, obnoxious, despicable rainy weather had something to do with their disappearance?

The above photo is proof that butterflies existed a mere month ago. But do you know what that beautiful black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is sipping nectar from? RAGWEED! My allergies forbid me to walk through that field right now.

So lately I've been impatiently good-naturedly waiting (yeah, right!) for beautiful butterflies to visit my gardens or to appear on my walks in a nearby forest where ragweed is far less prolific.Good news: lately, the weather, has improved a little and I'd like to confirm the rumour that there IS a sun! And adding to the excitement, a few sunny days -- not to mention the numerous Buddleia bushes flowering in my gardens at the moment -- have attracted a few lepidopterans!

Finally, a black swallowtail read the invitation and decided to check out my gardens. The white Buddleia in my side yard is its favourite. Truth be told, I'm not fond of white flowers because they fade to such an unsightly brown. The butterfly, which tastes with his feet, has voted, a nod to the upcoming national elections this fall in the U.S. and Canada.


Why not join in the Camera Critter fun by visiting the Camera Critters site hosted by Misty Dawn at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com ?
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17 comments:

  1. DarlaSeptember 6, 2008 at 8:31 AM

    The first photo looks like you pinned that butterfly. I know you didn't, you wouldn't. So how did you get it to stand so still?

    Darla

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  2. Tanya BreeseSeptember 6, 2008 at 8:57 AM

    Great shots! We have those butterflies here too! Although I can't capture them as perfect as you have...sigh....

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  3. Small City ScenesSeptember 6, 2008 at 11:26 AM

    Wonderful. I am glad the Butterflies read your invitation and scurried on over. I feel the same about white flowers but obviously the butterfly doesn't. MB

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  4. judi/GmjSeptember 6, 2008 at 2:17 PM

    Lord, I do appreciate a woman with a positive attitude and wicked sense of humor! :D You always have something intresting to see and read, and you are one of the reasons a railroad trip across Canada is on my bucket list!

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  5. Kerri FarleySeptember 6, 2008 at 3:01 PM

    Fabulous photos of the butterfly!
    Absolutely gorgeous.

    My CC post here: http://www.kreationsbykerri.blogspot.com/

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  6. ShammickiteSeptember 6, 2008 at 3:45 PM

    More great pics from you... I think you must spend most of your spare time lurking in the garden just waiting for a butterfly to alight, and then you pounce, no time for the little critter to get away!

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  7. RoseSeptember 6, 2008 at 5:34 PM

    Wow, these are fantastic!

    BTW, my husband and daughter are really suffering with their allergies right now two; my daughter's eye were so puffy this morn that she looked like she had been crying.

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  8. EG CameraGirlSeptember 6, 2008 at 8:26 PM

    Darla,
    It was so excited about the ragweed that it didn't seem to mind me there. On the other hand, the black swallowtail on the Buddleia was very wary of me. Plus the light was bad, so I didn't get as good shots as I would have liked. I'm hoping it will come back on a sunny day. ;-)

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  9. RoanSeptember 7, 2008 at 7:36 AM

    I'm so jealous of your gorgeous butterfly shots. By the time I get my camera to snap the shot, Ms. Butterfly has already closed her wings, or started to, as is the case in my Critter shot today. Lovely collage! BJ

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  10. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2008 at 10:46 AM

    This is a nice photograph. I like them but mine also disappeared for the most part. I saw a monarch yesterday. This is a nice post.

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  11. mrsnesbittSeptember 7, 2008 at 11:56 AM

    Wow!
    So tropical, mine is very domestic! LOL! Somebody you know.
    Dxx

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  12. Livio BoninoSeptember 7, 2008 at 1:57 PM

    Only wonderful pics in your site

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  13. CarlettaSeptember 7, 2008 at 4:29 PM

    The first one is a great capture!
    I don't think I'm patient enough when it comes to photographing butterflies - you are certainly awarded in your patience.

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  14. BeckySeptember 7, 2008 at 5:35 PM

    That is a gorgeous butterfly. We're having the same problem here, and I've also been blaming the RAIN. What little butterflies we did have didn't stay very long.

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  15. MarySeptember 7, 2008 at 9:43 PM

    Oh how LOVELY! We have not seen many butterflies here in NJ either... Yours are wonderful. :)

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  16. This Is My Blog - fishing guySeptember 8, 2008 at 7:50 AM

    EG: A wonderful capture of a beautiful butterfly, nicely done.

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  17. istanbuldailyphotoSeptember 8, 2008 at 2:02 PM

    Great macro shot!

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