One tiny bloom at a time.

[angkymac]

Another absolutely outstanding image!
Puzzled, I am, as to how you got the image.
I'm sure you used a tripod with that lens combo, but if you did, then how did you get that big heavy chunk of glass onto that butterfly before it left???
Angky

[OrchidJulie]

Lantana... I have a love/hate relationship with it. On the one hand it flowers a lot and the itty-bitty flowers are so bright and cheery. But on the other hand, it's a poisonous weed. Always amuses me that people actually plant it deliberately, and that you can purchase it in garden centers.
That notwithstanding, the photo is terrific!

[MikeNArk]

Nice capture, Todd. Seeing the shutter speed on this shot makes me think it's handheld. With good light I hardly ever use a tripod. If I did, I would miss most shots like this.

[ToddK]

Another absolutely outstanding image!
Puzzled, I am, as to how you got the image.
I'm sure you used a tripod with that lens combo, but if you did, then how did you get that big heavy chunk of glass onto that butterfly before it left???
Angky

Thanks so much Angky! Actually I shot it handheld. The nice thing about such a long lens is you can stand back a little to take the shots. This helps to keep the butterflies calm and sit still long enough to get the shots.

Lantana... I have a love/hate relationship with it. On the one hand it flowers a lot and the itty-bitty flowers are so bright and cheery. But on the other hand, it's a poisonous weed. Always amuses me that people actually plant it deliberately, and that you can purchase it in garden centers.
That notwithstanding, the photo is terrific!

Thank you Julie! I have warmed up to Lantana here in Texas hill country. It is native to this area and deer resistant. The deer around here wander through neighborhoods at night and eat everything edible down to the ground. It is also very attractive to bees and butterflies, so it is not all bad.

Nice capture, Todd. Seeing the shutter speed on this shot makes me think it's handheld. With good light I hardly ever use a tripod. If I did, I would miss most shots like this.

Hi Mike, yes it is handheld. I also rarely use a tripod for bees and butterflies. Too much moving around and repositioning to get shots.

[OrchidJulie]

Thank you Julie! I have warmed up to Lantana here in Texas hill country. It is native to this area and deer resistant. The deer around here wander through neighborhoods at night and eat everything edible down to the ground. It is also very attractive to bees and butterflies, so it is not all bad.

It's native here, too. When I was a kid I remember country-folks (those with horses and other livestock) referring to it as "loco weed". The deer apparently know not to eat it. I agree that it's attractive, I just can't un-know that it's poisonous and a hazard to animals and pets. Your image is quite lovely!

[Kerrowdown]

Enjoying the Lantana

Wonderful image... with a beautiful colour keyed and smooth background.

[ToddK]

Wonderful image... with a beautiful colour keyed and smooth background.

Thank you so much for your very nice comment!