After dinner tonight, I went to my campus office to grab some “scantron” answer sheets for a “Girls Make Movies” camper at the camp Clare is supervising/coordinating on campus this week.
After that, I had to stop at the grocery store for some ingredients for tomorrow’s “farewell dinner” for a departing fellow-rower/Ph.D. student and her mom. At the last moment I thought, sigh, I guess I can take my camera, but what am I likely to see on those two short errands?
I parked on campus, got out of my car and before I took 5 steps, a butterfly crossed my path. It didn’t look remarkable; at a glance I figured it was a skipper I had already photographed. But the “365-osis” under my skin said, “Get your camera.”
Fetched my camera from the car and went back to find this specimen. Finally found it, snapped a couple frames in the grass then approached close enough to get it to fly away once, then twice, lighting on this leaf (big, dried, leathery magnolia leaf?). It was with this better background it allowed me to get another half-dozen shots, including this one.
From one of my butterfly field guides: “Males perch and patrol dry streambeds or dirt roads in search of suitable mates.” How does this differ from humans?
Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...
@cjwhite It's like the universe says, "See what happens when you don't bring your camera?" (Also, the old American Express commercials come to mind, "Don't leave home without it." Yikes, that ad campaign started in 1975!)
Why are both forewings torn on the forward edge; is this evidence of escaping a predator? Wind shears?
@rhoing It was probably a predator. I think they get tattered and faded as they get older, too. I remember those American Express commercials. LOL! I graduated from high school in 1976. I think that makes me an antique. :0)
@ladyjane Haha! Good one, Jane! No, we actually met in ’75 … in a McDonald’s! As for the wing, old age? Predator? Wind shear? Carolyn (see above) guesses that it was a close encounter with a predator…
Beautiful. I love the eye spots. We are being encouraged to take shot of butterlfies to see if the very wet weather has affect them. I was out in the fields all day but only saw 2 butterflies today. You are very lucky to have so many.
@jtookey150 Thanks, Jean, and yes, I feel fortunate to have had so many opportunities to photograph and learn about the winged visitors to our watered garden. We have had only about 2 inches of rain in the last 10 weeks, so we have the opposite problem with which you're coping right now. :-\
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Why are both forewings torn on the forward edge; is this evidence of escaping a predator? Wind shears?
So Thom, inquiring minds want to know - did you find your wife in a dry stream bed or a dirt road? ;)