I like to carry my camera with me all the time and I know I'm not alone. Although Wendy said a few days ago that she'd seen something she'd wanted to photograph but for several weeks had forgotten to take her camera with her to photograph it. But then I had years of indoctrination by my Dad and years of carrying a camera out of choice and practice. Now, of course even if I don't have my camera in my hand my phone's camera is good enough for many emergencies.
The Monarch butterfly is exceptionally hard to photograph because it is rarely still unless it is on a swan plant and even then I've not had much success. However as I was walking through the centre of Napier to the Library the other day a Monarch landed on a plant a few feet from me. I had my camera in my hand and set before a horse could have swished its tail twice. I was pleased with the result:
And for those who remember, Quick Draw McGraw
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Justifiably pleased, it's a beauty.
ReplyDeletefab picture as always Graham
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, VERY beautiful. ;^) The flower looks maybe like a hibiscus? They won't be blooming here until July!
ReplyDeleteQuick Draw McGraw!!! When I saw the title, my first thought was one of surprise that this cartoon must have been shown in England (or Scotland,) too!
;^)
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, Cynthia, it is a hibiscus. Whilst I was photographing the butterfly a lady came up and told me they were cultivated perenial hisbiscus (the natural short-lived perennial in NZ is much smaller than these are). She thought I was photographing the flowers - she didn't see the butterfly (and Monarch's are huge butterflies!) a couple of feet from my camera! Until, that is I told her. Anyway she continue to tell me all about the flowers. Otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue!!
We are lucky here - the Council keeps the town and parks and sea-front flower areas beautifully.
Great shots!
ReplyDeleteHi GB, I love your photos of the monarch. My garden is full of swan plant for the butterflies, but the butterflies were late coming this year (must have been too dry) so the plants had all seeded by the time they arrived. Consequently my back lawn sometimes looks like a small snow storn has hit it! And inside the house too! However, there are heaps of monarchs about at present. They are my favourite little creatures.
ReplyDeletetruly magnificent!
ReplyDeleteLovely butterfly pictures. I especially like that second one where you can see it has dots underneath too! I don't think we have Monarchs over here.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you Chris. Yes there are a lot of Monarch's around here in Hawkes Bay this year as well.
ReplyDeleteI see you have drawn Chris out of her shell - she does love those Monarchs! Terrific photos! I know how elusive they are.
ReplyDeleteOh my Lord! Those are fantastic photos of the Monarch!!! I used to live in Santa Cruz, CA, where the monarchs would come to Natural Bridges State Park, on the ocean, to wait out the winter. They cluster in the Eucalyptus trees, millions of them. The trees look like they are "dripping" with Monarchs! There are many places along the California coast where they love to gather.
ReplyDelete