Varied Eggfly varies the chase

Chased butterflies instead of birds for sunny spell yesterday. Varied Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) provides in-flight action around the main lagoon.

Cranked up ISO and shutter speeds to slow things down a bit.

Female quarry stops for taste of swamp lily.

And here's a Ulysses Swallowtail (Papilio ulysses) from holdover folder. Hopes for worthy flight shots of species have died out.

Shining Flycatchers (Myiagra alecto) full fledged yesterday.

Today, both capable of flying 15-20 metres and sooo hungry!

For those hungering after facts: Nest build: 30 days; sit 15 days; feed/fledge 15 days.

Butterflies save rainy day

Poured down for hours early today so spent some time housekeeping picture folders and importing a new browser after heeding latest IE security warnings. So, what's in the rainy-day folder?

What about a couple of male butterflies, both largely failures as pictures, but one having perhaps a little merit regarding intent if not execution?

First, Shining Oak-blue (aka Common Oak-blue: Arhopala micale), on a dewy palm tree flower stalk in early morning light. Too much noise in background and not quite sharp enough. How would anyone know it was a bright blue? Just have to take my word for it. And I'm no expert on butterfly IDs.

Easier to name, a Varied Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) on lantana (also only too easy to ID!). Trial here was to get some light flashed on the body without blowing out the wing white. So, unsuccessful. But at least there's a hint of the gorgeous glowing dark purple in the wings.

Overall, the lesson must be: don't send a 300mm lens to do a macro's job!