I forgot I had these which I took back in August of this year. We had quite a lot of Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) visit the garden this year, and this one landed on the asphalt roof of my shed one hot day. It was very well-behaved, and allowed me to get quite up close and personal with it. I was quite amazed what beautiful eye structure they have as well as wing colour and pattern.
I think this one was trying to hypnotise me. “Look into my eyes,” it appeared to beckon. “Look into my eyes …”
Double click on images to enlarge.
August 2017, Staffordshire, England.
Nature Journeys 
These are wonderful shots! Up close they appear to have checkerboard-like eyes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Belinda 🙂 They sure do from side on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely amazing pictures! I`ve seen Red Admirals very close before when I use my macro, but never as close as these fantastic pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Anita 🙂 I was lucky it allowed me to get so close 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great shots. I love the last.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Maddy 🙂 That last one is quite full on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice shots. It’s pretty cool how close one can get sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, David 🙂
LikeLike
Now that is close ! Great look and detail
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Ted 🙂 I was lucky to get the opportunity to get so close on this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful close up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ellen 🙂 If only all wildlife subjects were so accomodating 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This would definitely be one for a wildlife calendar Pete!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Diana 🙂 I appreciate that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow!
Really amazing photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Anki 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Season’s Greetings, Pete! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same to you, Indira! Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Wow. I have seen lots of Red Admirals before, but never such a close-up view. Your shots. Pete, remind me why I love macro photography so much. Nice job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Mike 🙂 It was a great opportunity for me to get up close.
LikeLike
Superb macro Pete, great depth of field.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Brian 🙂
LikeLike
The Red Admirals are one of the more ‘friendly’ butterflies in our garden, but I don’t think we have them this cooperative. Fantastic photo of those hypnotic eyes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Annie 🙂 They are one of the friendly butterflies in the garden in that they do not spook so easily sometimes, and they are always a joy to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely close ups 🙂 I don’t seem to have a good lens for butterflies. My 200 – 500mm needs a minimum focussing range of two metres so isn’t ideal, and it’s rare to find one that will tolerate a macro. What did you use for this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
With butterflies I tend to use my Nikon 70-300mm lens, but I don’t always get the detail I like from such a long range. For these shots I used my Sigma 105mm macro lens, as this butterfly was so accomodating. I wish they was all like this one was! Thank you for your lovely comment, Adele 🙂
LikeLike
I make sure not to view these images just before bed! Happy New Year Pete and thanks for staying in touch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year to you too, Brian! And thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s AMAZING!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jill 🙂
LikeLike
An excellent view!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Fabulous photos that take us deep into the detail of a really beautiful butterfly. The last photograph in particular is brilliant! I’m sure it wasn’t easy to get in so close with a macro lens without disturbing the butterfly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, David 🙂 It was challenging, but I was also lucky as the butterfly was determined to stay its ground on this occasion intead of fluttering away.
LikeLiked by 1 person