Up, up and away!
Common Sailor on jasmine leaf
It's not just during the great migration, but throughout the year we get to relish butterfly sightings almost daily. Not just one or two varieties but butterflies of various kinds with distinct colors and designs would hang around our neighborhood and yard. Though during off season they come in small numbers. I had failed many a times trying to capture them with my old cam phone. Since these fellows are always too swift, agile and elusive.
Translucent
Grey Pansy on Sepalika leaf
As time passed I wanted to get to know them better, like how I learned the names of some birds frequenting the neighborhood. Being able to tell them apart from their colors is one thing, but correctly identifying them is a whole different thing. So bit by bit I'm trying to learn how to identify them by name and tell them apart with the help of butterfly guides. Though I've seen many types I wasn't so lucky to capture them all, since whenever I rush back with the cam, they've already disappeared.
At first... I took shots from far with the fear of missing a chance. But with time I learnt to step closer as silently as possible. That's when I noticed that some butterflies don't mind posing for the cam as they don't even budge when my camera comes face to face with them.
Face to Face
Grey Pansy on yellow bell flower leaf
I used to think that life in the butterfly world must be all sunny, sweet and nice. They are dressed to the nines and live carefree lives. But that was until I started observing them more closely. Few times I found some butterflies and moth with tattered wings, silently expressing the hardships of their miles long journeys. Fluttering those fragile powdery wings to ride along the currents between gentle zephyrs and strong winds. Evading predators, storms, scorching sun and heavy showers. Getting lost in dense forests, looking for a dew drop in barren lands.
Upside down
Common Sailor on yellow bell flower bud
Life is never easy... not for them... not for us.
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For more butterfly shots drop by my Picasa album - Butterflies
Hi, Welcome back ! It's always great pleasure reading your blog and those are beutiful pics of butterflies. Yes, It is great capturing them and refering guides to find the names...Keep posting !
ReplyDeleteHi SM! Thanks once again. It's good to be back. :)
DeleteIt sure is, and must say your blog truly inspired me to observe them more. I'm still learning bit by bit. :)
Life is not easy, but this not for us.
ReplyDeleteIf we start to look around, we shall realise how fortunate we are.
Thanks Rain and well.. you're so optimistic. :D But yeah, I do agree. We're indeed fortunate. :)
DeleteBeautiful pictures and lovely narrative as always sis. What you say is true..sometimes it's difficult to be butterflies. There have been a few times where I've rescued butterflies with broken wings myself. I've tried to keep them safe inside the house and even tried to figure out how to feed them. But sadly most of them died and only one survived and was able to be released back to our garden. I think one of my cats might have been the culprit who hurt these butterflies. Now we don't see them much in our garden...:) It's a good thing I guess, they might be safe elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm catching up on your writing again. It's been a while. :)
Thanks once again sis! And nice to hear how you tried to save them, but yeah with cats around it's no easy task. :D Plus they're so fragile, and it's really hard to get back to a normal life once their wings get damaged. Yeah, I too hope so, maybe it's like they have seasons to show up or not.
DeleteThat's cool to see you active again. Welcome back sis!:)
Wonderful photograph, fantastic views. I am greeting
ReplyDeleteHi Zielona, Welcome to my blog! And thanks a lot for your feedback. :)
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