My yard is very shady, so Mountain Mint that this Spicebush Swallowtail is nectaring on is one of the few plants that will grow and attract pollinators. In a sunny location the Mountain mints are wonderful pollinator attractors even though their flowers are not especially attractive.
Feedback Requests
Cropped to 4x5 to eliminate extra space on the right. These butterflies are challenging because they routinely flutter their wings as they nectar. I managed to get this shot during a brief quiet period.
Pertinent Technical Details
R5, 180mm macro, 1/320 s, f/6.3, iso 3200, tripod.
The swallowtails are so fluttering. I’ve only seen them at tropical butterfly exhibitions.
I find many positive aspects of this image. The composition from foreground to background is very beautiful, and the butterfly forms a nice contrast to the background.
Wonderfully sharp subject and a very interesting and pleasing plant. I love the OOF BG. I think I would crop from the left to remove the flower there – if I hold my hand over that edge I feel my eye is more focused on the BF.
Very nice with blacks having substance and detail. Cropping from the left may additionally enhance the comp . Like the BG and mountain mint is a staple for pollinators in my little prairie area. Well done…Jim
Mark: Having been frustrated many times over by fluttering swallowtails I appreciate your opportunity and how well you handled it. I’m in agreement with the others regarding the crop but that’s a pretty small nit. Top notch image. >=))>
