Small Skipper #2

Insects can be quite a challenging subject to photograph, but also most rewarding and satisfying. Many things can be against you. The weather for one. Wind and rain, and poor light. Also the fact that insects move, especially butterflies as they flutter from flower to flower to feed. They are also very much aware of our presence, and will fly off if disturbed. And where they land, like in the photo above, amongst grasses and other plants which may obscure your view and pose more of a challenge. Some things may work in your favour, others may not. Whatever the outcome, enjoy the moment being close to nature.

I nearly deleted the photo below for in living creatures I always like to show the eyes, but as this was a backside shot that was, of course, virtually impossible.I came down lower to be more level with the subject and to get more camera stability and I missed the beat, so to speak. But then I quite liked the way the wings were spread from this angle, the detail in the legs gripping the thistle flower, but what finally drew my finger from the delete key was the curling proboscis out front. And although slightly out of focus you can see the brownish-orange underside of the tip of the antennae, which help distinguish this species between others that are fairly similar.

Photographs of female Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), taken July 2016, during a walk along local river bank, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

For more photos and information on this wonderful butterfly please visit my Small Skipper post.