Swallowtail

Seeing a swallowtail butterfly in all its glory is special; it is an extraordinarily beautiful species. This butterfly was on a buddleja plant in Digne-les-Bains, which is a paradise for butterfly enthousiasts. It has an open-air butterfly garden that attracts many different species, such as this one. Your comments are very welcome.

Great colors, DOF, clarity and sharpness!

Hi Philip,

 

thanks a lot for your friendly comments! In full (mediterranean) daylight this lens can perform above expectations. Kind regards, Vincent

Great details, colors, angle and DOF!

Hi Philip, thanks again!! (you commented on this photo already:))

I like that you left the hole in the butterflies wing, Vincent. Survival is a hard life and many encounters of various types are part of it. It's interesting to see the back end of the wings for a change. Excellent colors, light and composition. Best regards, Paul.

Hi Paul,

 

thanks for your friendly comments! I had to look at the photo very hard to see what you meant by 'the hole in the butterfly's wing'. I think you refer to the black spot just above the center of the blue part; that is a part of the wing, you will see it in other photos of the papilio machaon as well. It's mostly the tail and the top of the wings where these insects get the first 'damage'. This is probably a young specimen. Kind regards, Vincent

Hi Vincent. Looking at it closer it does look like a spot rather that a hole. I appreciate you letting me know. Best regards, Paul.

Beautiful detail of the features on the wings. You are right about the Mediterranean light - makes the image really pop & lens perform well. I shot one of these butterflies in my garden one summer & it was a fairly overcast, darkish day. I have it in my photostrem, but the image does not have that beautiful lightness like yours.

Hi Aina,

 

thank you for another firendly and relevant comment! The mediterrenean light certainly is an important factor in this photo, for the reasons you mention. Kind regards, Vincent