Monarch Butterfly flying towards a Rocky Mountain Bee Plant – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Photographing birds while they are flying can be challenging and photographing Monarch Butterflies in flight can be just as challenging to do too. The Monarch Butterflies have a loopy kind of flight that can be difficult to predict and to track with a long lens. Last Friday I was able to take photos of a Monarch Butterfly as it flew towards a Rocky Mountain Bee Plant on Antelope Island and as it landed on the wildflowers to feed on the nectar.
Monarch Butterfly in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
These images are about a 50% crop and although I wish I had been closer I am happy with the sharpness, fine details and the way they turned out. I liked the creamy background and the angle of the light. When I took this particular photo I still wasn’t sure the butterfly was going to land on this bee plant but I hoped that it would.
Monarch Butterfly landing on a Rocky Mountain Bee Plant – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And then I noticed that the Monarch was using its wings to slow down its flight and it was then that I knew it was going to land. These butterflies land to take nectar from the wildflowers unlike the White-lined Sphinx Moths which hover over the flowers to feed.
Monarch Butterfly after landing on a Rocky Mountain Bee Plant – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was delighted that I was able to photograph this beautiful butterfly in flight and that once the Monarch had landed on the Rocky Mountain Bee Plant I was able to take a nice series of photos of it feeding on the flowers.
Sure it is not a bird but it is still a gorgeous thing with wings.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos. Click here to see my insect and spider photo galleries.
So cool. Great color articulation and movement. Thx Mia.
BEAUTIFUL SHOT! MANY THANKS.
BEAUTIFUL SHOTS.
BILLIE DECKERT
Thank you for your comment. I removed your email address because you don’t want to have it out there like that for spammers to grab ahold of. Thanks.
Yet another lovely series.
Thank you.
These are all great shots, but the first appeals because it’s so unusual…you can’t be beat when it comes to flowers, flowers and insects….and clouds!!!
Great shots!!
Just beautiful! No, magnificent! And you’re right. Life IS good, especially when you pay attention to this gorgeous spinning rock!
Beautiful Mia!
Great photos. Beautiful flower.
Great shots. Quite a challenge.
Thank you for inspiring me.