Horana - Texas wasp moth - I think? I’ve never seen on e of these before. It is a little fuzzy because of the wind but I wanted to get the shot - f/8, 1/1250sec., iso 640 - cropped
All images have had basic highlight/shadow adjustments, some cloning and a vignette added.
I am interested in your reaction on composition, do the settings seem appropriate for a gusty (20mph) day? Any other thoughts, comments would be great.
What a great group! The sulfur is so striking and I’ve never seen the third one ever. If you use iNaturalist at all, you might be able to get an ID there. The colors and detail look great, very natural and I like the different view you have of the last one. The contrasting colors with the monarch are really super.
Once again, you’ve captured a nice group here, Linda. My opinion of the composition would be that ANY decent shots you can get in a 20 mph wind are good! And these are certainly more than decent. I’ve been fighting a similar wind here - sometimes up to 40 mph - and it makes for some tough conditions in which to photograph these little insects hanging on to plants!
Thanks so much, @Shirley_Freeman, @Kris_Smith and @terryb. I am pretty sure these are the waning days for the butterflies so I’m trying to enjoy them as much as possible before they’re gone! As for the wasp, Kris, I do use iNaturalist (great app) and they are the ones who suggested Texas Wasp Moth. Also don’t know enough about them to understand why they were here and/or if they are just passing through also. Interestingly enough, Terry, the wasp and even the butterflies were fairly stationary, it was that darn wind I was having to deal with. I can’t imagine trying to photograph anything in 40mph winds. Thanks again all, I’m glad you’re enjoying them also.
Wonderful shots! The Monarch is a classic beauty, with a lovely flower that doesn’t compete with the butterfly. Love the BG! The wasp is a new one for me, and very interesting, with the same lovely but not-distracting flower. In comparison, I could wish for a similar BG and simpler flower for the Sulphur, but I can’t fault any butterfly image in the wind. Hope they will hang on for you a while longer.
Thanks much, Diane. I agree about the Clouded Sulphur/flower. In post I did desaturate and blur the flower slightly-well actually at first a lot, but that didn’t work at all - and was reminded what an important role the background plays.
Going back through some of your photos in the archives Linda. I noticed these beautiful butterflies and the third image of an intriguing moth. The moth is a wasp mimic. I love the colors. The only way to tell it is a moth instead of a wasp is the lack of a constriction between the thorax and the abdomen. Cool critter.
Thanks, Ed. I do remember the fall of 2022, we had more butterflies visiting our backyard than I have ever seen. It was a very special event for me. Thanks for the info on the moth. Fascinating creature among all the butterflies. I appreciate you taking a look and for your thoughts.
