Butterflies and a first

I had the pleasure on Sunday of seeing and photographing a species of butterfly I’ve always wanted to see.  A Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).  This pretty butterfly, acts much like whites, in that it flutters around for a long while before resting.  When flying its pale orange inner wings glint in the sunlight.  At rest they don’t open their wings, unless displaying – this I have yet to see.  I saw them at Lynlinch Common near Sturminster Newton, after an earlier visit to Alners Gorse Reserve where the other two butterflies in this post were taken.

As is so often, when you’ve not seen something, then you do, there were several Clouded Yellows on the wing.  I took this one last of all and it is probably the best lit from the sun.  It is a bit central in the frame and I suppose I could of cropped it.  But after playing around with different crops, decided to leave it as shot.

Clouded Yellow
Clouded Yellow

Clouded Yellow.  Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5.6 1/160.  Natural Light.

This other one was found at rest earlier on a leaf and I then coaxed it onto my hand hoping it would warm up and open its wings.  (I had not realised they did not open at rest till reading up on them later on).

Clouded Yellow
Clouded Yellow

Clouded Yellow.  Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5.6 1/200.  Natural Light.

Clouded Yellow on my finger
Clouded Yellow on my finger

Clouded Yellow on my finger.  Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F6.3 1/1250.  Natural Light.

The remaining two species are next up – both of these cropped a bit for composition/annoying object removal.

Small White
Small White

Small White.  Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F7.1 1/640.  Natural Light. Cropped.

Small Tortoiseshell
Small Tortoiseshell

Small Tortoiseshell.  Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5.6 1/320.  Natural Light.  Cropped.

Map of Location

Butterfly Conservation Reserve.

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Chris

I've been taking macro photography from 2004. I use both Canon film and digital cameras.

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