It is fascinating to watch butterflies. These insects of the order Lepidoptera are mostly day fliers. Their graceful but erratic flight and the brightly colored wings of different patterns attract immediate attention. They go from flower to flower, pollinating them. One could spend hours observing the butterflies.
But trying to photograph them is a different matter. It requires a great deal of patience and running around. You try to focus the camera on a butterfly which is about to settle on a flower. Suddenly it changes course and moves elsewhere and you chase it. The process could be repetitive and finally one gets tired and gives up.
Some of the photos I managed to take at Olavipe, are given here.
I read somewhere long ago that butterfly was originally called ‘flutter by’. Quite an appropriate name, I must say.
Also see:
Garden photos: Lantanas of Olavipe
Yes butterflies, like birds are hard to photograph. Well done for catching so many.
ReplyDeleteFrom top to bottom you butterflies are
1.Blue Tiger
2.Clipper
3.Grey Pansy
4.another Blue tiger
5.Probably a Common/Crimson Rose
6.No idea what this is..will have to refer books.
7&8. Common Crow
Here`s a blog with a collection of Kerala butterflies captured over two months: http://birdsnapping.blogspot.com/2008/07/butterflies-of-kerala-collection.html
anonymous thanks a lot for the information. Shall be visiting the link you have provided.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the lantana flowers have been attracting the butterflies. They're great favourites for the 'flying rainbows'. But youseem to have got more than your fair share : )
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally I've been blogging about them too. Take a look :
http://the-urban-gardener.blogspot.com/2008/08/ive-got-tigers-in-my-garden.html
So much patience required to get these shots - wonderful!
ReplyDeletehi just discovered your lovely blog, and will be spending some time browsing through it. In kerala now and wanted to do some landscaping and gardening at my place and was looking for local perennial plants that require minimal attention and hence reached here.
ReplyDeleteI am blogger too - if you have some time do drop by http://vegetarianinme.blogspot.com/
Sunita, I was away in Kerala. Returned only the day before and am in the process of catching up woth the backlog.
ReplyDeleteShall certainly visit your blog and get back to you.
Thanks, Raji.
ReplyDeleteYou won't believe how ridiculous I felt chasing the butterflies in the hot sun.
rjani, thank you for the compliment.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will give due consideration to different types of hibiscus and lilies while landscaping your place. Rajamalli, red pagodas, nanthyarvattam and parijatham are also nice. All these don't require much attention.
I plan to visit your blog.
6 is Water Snow Flat
ReplyDeleteand
8 is Common Mime