Butterflies (photos)

[Tom Wilson]

It seems to me that there might be more people with both butterflies and dragonfly photos so I thought I would go ahead and start a new post for butterflies...

Last week I had one butterfly photo as posted in the bug thread...After taking the kids to the zoo this weekend, I now have quite a few... thought I'd show you a few of them.

All taken handheld with a 70mm standard lens--I would have killed for my micro lens.

[Steve Foss]

Here are a few from up the Echo Trail. I also just started a "fall color" thread on the photo sharing board.

Fritillary on goldenrod

White admiral on alder

Bumblebee on lupine (yeah, I know, not a butterfly, but close . . .

[buzzsaw]

I guess it's going to be a Butterfly kinda day eh? These were all taken in my backyard within the last six weeks.

[Steve Foss]

Tom, I particularly enjoyed the final images, the deep rusty-colored butterfly with the white speckles on the purple coneflower. Know what kind of butterfly it is? I don't.

Buzz, that dark swallowtail is very rich. Nice.

[buzzsaw]

Thanks Catfish, I sent that into Birds and Blooms....

[Steve Foss]

Buzz, can you shoot me an e-mail address for B&B. I've seen the mag before but we don't have one handy and I for some reason couldn't get a Web search to work. Thanks.

[buzzsaw]

Heres the main link.

http://www.birdsandblooms.com

Heres the page for contacting different divisions.

web page

I'm certain you, Tom and Hobby should all send in pictures!! I really can't compliment you guys enough on your photography skills! You've set the bar high and I'm very much considering getting that Cannon EOS Rebel XT!! What zoom lens do you recommend again?

[Steve Foss]

My go-to zoom is the 100-400 mm Canon image stabilizer. The stabilizer is a HUGE factor. it's about $1,300. I do all my camera, lens and supply ordering from w.w.w.c.a.n.o.g.a.c.a.m.e.r.a.c.o.m. Subtract the periods and you'll get the site. Canon also offers a "consumer" level 70-300 image stabilizer for about half the money. With the 1.6 conversion factor on the XT and the 20D, the 100-400 is really a 160-640mm. I often use it instead of my macro lens (which is lower quality glass) to take close-ups of flowers and such, though it can't produce an image quite as heavily magnified as a macro.

I'd recommend at least a 1Gig memory card. I use Lexar's top of the line, which has dropped to about $100. The optional battery grip for the XT, which allows you not only to add a second battery (operating the stabilizer eats batteries 30 percent faster than without it) also gives you controls on one corner of it so you can adopt a vertical grip without craning your hand around the manipulate the main controls.

Only other thing I'd say is that, during a multi-day trip where you don't have electricity, it's a really big help to have at least one extra set of batteries. You'll get a charger along with the XT if you order the kit (order the kit), and the charger gets a flat battery charged in three hours, but I have two chargers, so I can charge a set of two batteries at once.

I have three sets of two batteries, for a total of six. You don't have to buy Canon batteries, either. Best knock-off I've found is from SterlingTek. Add a .com on that and you'll get to their Web site. You're looking for a BP-511 equivalent, and you'll find them for only $11.99 each. I've gotten a set and they work very well.

Good luck, and shoot me an e-mail if you want more Canon ins and outs or if you buy the XT and need a little help now and then.

[buzzsaw]

Your a good man! Thanks for that info!

[jonny_redhorse]

Steve......Looks like a great example of a "Queen Fritillary" that Tom has there....a great photo...jonny

[jonny_redhorse]

great Tom!..gives us a chance to post a few these butterfly pics!....here's a couple from this last june(bear lake,Itasca county) ...I think this first pic is a "northern crescent"(well pretty sure)lot of "lookalikes" in this species.lol! ...jonny

"pearly crescentspot"

[Tom Wilson]

Very nice photos guys. I spend so much time shooting birds that I have never really tried anything else with any kind of passion like I have for the birds, but I really, really enjoyed shooting those butterflies. If you've never been to the Minnesota zoo's butterfly house--you're missing out on something fantastic. So many of these beautiful things in one spot. I absolutely had a ball and have some beautiful photos from the day. I will definitely spend a few days there next year. Keep them pics coming!

[jonny_redhorse]

A swallowtail resting in a "bog"...taken one early morning in early june...jonny

[jonny_redhorse]

got a few close-ups of the last remaining monarch before they head south to mexico for the winter..amazing how big these butterflies are!...this one was pushing close to 4" across!...certainly one of natures finer creations!...it made my day!(good cup of folgers helped too)

and a paper wasp:

[jonny_redhorse]

a "Western-tailed Blue".....not very big as butterflies go but just a neat little guy!..when the wings are spread...a nice blue color...they never rest with their wings "open" always folded...jonny

[jonny_redhorse]

"milbert's tortiseshell"...on a fall canada goldenrod...taken with my fuji s5000...#4 macro dioptor....jonny