Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Spring Time Means Butterflies





For most of us, butterflies and spring time are synonymous. I had the great fortune a few years ago to live close to a butterfly conservatory where I'd spend hours with my kids. We often had the place all to ourselves, and after taking quite a number of photos, I'd sit on one of the benches and simply marvel at the combined beauty of a sunny day, butterflies in all their various life stages, and little girls.

The shots above are of the monarch butterfly in the larva stage, better known as the caterpillar.

Here's another butterfly-to-be in his rather sinister larval state:

8 comments:

Ipsey said...

I just love Monarch caterpillars. Don't know why. They just look so squishy and huggable and weird all at the same time.
Amy

Lottery Girl said...

Amy,

I know what you mean. They are adorable!

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Your photography is amazing - you must have a great lens to take such detailed close ups. They are all asking for a full portrait painting!!! What a great series it would make.

Lottery Girl said...

Dear Joan,

Thanks for the lovely compliment!

Actually, I have a pretty simple camera, a Canon with no special lenses. Most cameras these days have a macro setting, so you don't really need an additional lens. I used to use a 35 mm film camera and carry around a telephoto lens, a macro, a wide-angle, a flash, and an assortment of filters.

Now I just take my Canon!

A Novel Woman said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE these photos! We have a butterfly and insectarium in Montreal, but it's a fair hike from here so I keep finding excuses not to go. We have lots of Monarchs at the cottage, and although I've seen the caterpillars, I've never witnessed the metamorphasis part. Lucky you.

Lottery Girl said...

Dear NW,

Thank you my dear.

Robert A Vollrath said...

I love these photos! I've got to tell my friends at Project InSECT to take a look at these great photos.

Lottery Girl said...

Thanks Robert! What a great compliment--you made my day!