Scarce Swallowtail butterfly in flight.

[Bob the Spiderman]

In my opinion this type of photography is as difficult as it gets. If not nigh on impossible. This is due to what I call the butterfly's 'claphands and gliding' method of taking off and flying, making it impossible to predict the direction of flight. You must only try this if you are a masochist.
:biggrin::biggrin:

All were taken with the Nikon f/4-5.6 70-300mm ED. Hand held/manual focus in natural light. I make absolutely no apologises whatsoever for the noise, as to take this type of picture you need very high ISO's.

The butterfly at rest.

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The butterfly in flight. Notice how it sticks out its' tongue.

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Enjoy. Bob F

 

[Lowolf]

great captures, well done

 

[Bob the Spiderman]

I have bumped this thread as I posted them during a bank holiday and people may have missed it. Also this type of photography is not seen very often.

Thanks.

Bob F

 

[tojor]

I'm glad you bumped your thread. It must have been to see that you got some real good shots of a butterfly in flight. The second one is amazing. The butterfly is a beauty too. I'm sorry that we don't have these, at least to my knowledge.

 

[Bob Coutant]

Sorry I missed the original posting too, Bob. These are great, but what butterfly is this? The only yellow swallowtail I've seen around here is the eastern tiger swallowtail. [I'm not even going to ask how much time and how many shots it took to get these results.]

 

[Bob the Spiderman]

These are great, but what butterfly is this?

It is the European Scarce Swallowtail. Iphiclides podalirius

[I'm not even going to ask how much time and how many shots it took to get these results.]

I am glad about that as it was a very large number.:biggrin::biggrin:

Bob F.

 

[TOLady]

Excellent captures, Bob ! You must be very pleased. So glad you decided to bump this as I missed it the first time around.

 

[Harry S.]

Good captures, Bob.

As a side note - I. podalirius is more common in Austria than Papilio machaon, or maybe I should say less scarce.

Cheers

 

[Gale]

Great butterfly flight shot. Now that is difficult

 

[Bob the Spiderman]

As a side note - I. podalirius is more common in Austria than Papilio machaon, or maybe I should say less scarce.

I think that this is true for most European countries.

Bob F.

 

[Kiwi Geoff]

Great shots Bob, I guess patience is something that you have plenty of!!
Take it easy and thanks for the best wishes, mine go to you!!!!!!