We're engaged! by jesika2

We're engaged!

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...
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Better than a bird in the hand !!
April 25th, 2022  
Wonderful for you
April 25th, 2022  
Wow, fantastic!
April 25th, 2022  
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?
April 25th, 2022  
@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? 🦋📷
April 25th, 2022  
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)
April 25th, 2022  
@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
April 25th, 2022  
Wonderful!
April 25th, 2022  
Great capture
April 26th, 2022  
Nicely done, a lovely close-up!

Ian
April 26th, 2022  
yep I always take my butterfly shots from several metres away. thanks for the detailed reply I love your butterfly studies so much
April 26th, 2022  
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