Butterflies of South France

[marlunn]

A few of the shots I took in the South of France from our trip last week, there were more but these were highlights of my Butterfly foray

A two tailed Pasha
#1


A Queen of Spain Fritillary
#2


A Spotted Fritillary
#3


A Pearly Heath
#4


A Scarce Swallowtail
#5

[Suzan J]

Hello Mark: It is hard for me to pick a favourite as they are all quite beautiful. The backgrounds are soft and muted and showcase the subject very well. There is something about the second one with the simplicity and space that I find quite appealing.

[bnnrcn]

Lovely set Mark IMO reducing the highlights in #1 just a bit might help the image.

[Dave Humphries]

I can't imagine how you got them to stay still long enough.

I think #5 is my favourite, although #2 is an unusual angle, just a bit far off (but nicely positioned in the frame).

Well done,
Dave

[Mike Buckley]

A very artistic set, not the usual purely documentary style.

[marlunn]

Thanks Suzan, #2 was one of several I got of this butterfly but this one had more appeal to me, the others allow better view of the identiyfying features but dont have the 'feel' of the day

Thanks Binnur, I did reduced them a bit - it was clear blue sky and 35 degrees c so v bright that day

Cheers Dave, it was a challenge especially as the Pasha was dive bombed a few times by rivals for the territory it was holding !

Thank you Mike, it is difficult to balance the artistic with the record in a shot for widlife to get the ID features in but have a 'portrait image' rather than a simple ID shot. Something I am actively trying to develop in my images now.

[RandyRFJP]

Great photos Mark! My favorite is #4, the Pearly Heath.

[teokf]

This is a beautiful set. Lovely bokeh, sharp subject, well position composition. Since everyone is on it, #3 is my fav

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Wavelength]

Excellent images, all!!

[JBW]

they are all superb but #2 is unique and superb

[billtils]

+1 to all the above, and I'm in the "they're all good but #2 is my favourite by a slender margin" camp.

[IzzieK]

#1 is my favourite -- it is very crisp.
#2 is the best in composition -- the wings looks lacey.
#5 has the best angle that the face is very evident. Beautiful.
All beautiful...

[marlunn]

Thanks Randy, by all accounts i was lucky to get it - I am told by those in the the know that they are the most flighty of butterflies !
Thank you Steven, got to love a Frit
Cheers John,
Thanks Brian, must admit I do love the feel of that one
Cheers Bill, appreciated
Thank you Izzie, much appreciated

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you Mike, it is difficult to balance the artistic with the record in a shot for widlife to get the ID features in but have a 'portrait image' rather than a simple ID shot. Something I am actively trying to develop in my images now.

Based on this set, it's clear that you are succeeding!

[marlunn]

Thank you Mike, very much appreciated.