Mr OT came to see me again this afternoon and happily sat on my hand. Bliss beyond belief. OTs are such fast and frisky little butterflies just seeing one sit still for more than a few seconds is astonishing but actually have one sit like this...
250422FZ1K250422
Doggie mummy living in ancient York, Yorkshire, England.
Joined 1st Jan 2018
1st Jan 2024 have achieved 196%
28 March 2024 200%
I take photos, am not a photographer.
Interested...
I have a large amount of all kinds of butterflies every year round, but have never ever had one alight on me.
why would it land on your hand, do you have any idea?
@markp@stevejacob@monicac@koalagardens thank you. Mr OT didn’t land on my hand but although it was sunny and warm, when clouds passed over the sun the temperature dropped and he closed his wings to conserve heat. Sneaky old me gently held the stem of the flower he was on, took a couple of shots. Moved my hand slowly up the stem, snap snap until he walked onto my hand and stayed there quite happily. I waited a couple of minutes and then gently eased him back onto the flower. He was there about 30 minutes, a VERY long visit for an Orange Tip. Lucky me, eh? 🦋📷
I'm still totally stunned - here the butterflies seem to have vision as good as birds and take off before I even get a couple of metres away from them!
thanks for telling the story, that is fascinating - why do you think it would just sit still for so long, is that normal, maybe he had just finished feeing? (I don't know much about butterfly behaviour)
@koalagardens OT is a very fast little butterfly which rarely sits still for more than a few seconds even when feeding. One of the larval food plants has decided to grow in a corner of my jungle and he’s been attracted to it as a nectar source. I’ve noticed OT tends to rest on Garlic Mustard longer than on any other plant in other more open areas. My garden is tiny and sheltered and I can only assume he’s decided it’s his territory. They are VERY territorial. Hoping a girl will come by perhaps? I’m hoping the same because I’ve never raised OT.
As for approach. If you want to take pics, shoot from distance, move slowly, shoot, move again but be careful not to cast a shadow over them. Fast moves and shadows guaranteed to spook them. Good luck
why would it land on your hand, do you have any idea?
thanks for telling the story, that is fascinating - why do you think it would just sit still for so long, is that normal, maybe he had just finished feeing? (I don't know much about butterfly behaviour)
As for approach. If you want to take pics, shoot from distance, move slowly, shoot, move again but be careful not to cast a shadow over them. Fast moves and shadows guaranteed to spook them. Good luck
Ian