While I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge yesterday morning, I had a very unique experience photographing a lovely Hackberry Emperor butterfly.
Hackberry Emperor butterfly at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, f8, 1/1600, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Canon 100-500mm at 176mm, natural light
My friend Steve Creek was photographing a White-tailed Deer doe from the driver’s side window when I noticed a butterfly on the hood of his Toyota Tacoma. I didn’t want to step out of the truck because that would have scared the deer.
Instead, I focused on the butterfly through his windshield using his Canon R7 with a 100-500mm lens attached. I wasn’t expecting anything more than documentary photos because of the curvature of the windshield.
Well, I was wrong about that. I was blown away by how nicely my images of this butterfly turned out.
By the way, Steve’s truck is actually silver, but it was reflecting the blue sky overhead.
For this first image, the zoom lens was set at 176mm. My photo featured the Hackberry Emperor butterfly, the hood of Steve’s truck, and, in the background, the gravel road and vegetation on the roadside.
Hackberry Emperor butterfly with wings spread – Canon R7, f8, 1/3200, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Canon 100-500mm at 363mm, natural light
After that, I zoomed in a bit more, to 363mm. I was all set up to photograph the butterfly when it opened its wings. I was thrilled because that gave me a view of the upperside of the wings, and the first photo showed me the underside.
Having the two views made it easier for me to identify this butterfly species, since it was a new one for me.
Hackberry Emperor butterfly on the hood of a Toyota Tacoma – Canon R7, f8, 1/3200, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Canon 100-500mm at 363mm, natural light
I must admit I was really impressed with the quality of these images, especially considering they were taken through the curved windshield. The shiny truck hood allowed neat reflections to occur, and the bits of dust on the hood seemed a bit magical to my eyes.
So much more happened at the refuge yesterday, but I wanted to share these Hackberry Emperor butterfly photos first. I’m delighted that my photos turned out so well.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my insect and spider galleries.
Wow! Those pics are incredibly sharp considering you had to take them through a windshield. The butterfly itself is gorgeous. Thanks Mia.
What a gorgeous butterfly and such wonderful shots!
Wow that is impressive, Steve must keep a cleaner windshield and hood than I do! I can’t ever get good shots out my windshield.
Beautiful work, as usual, Mia.
Thanks Mia, I’m always amazed t the designs.
I go to your page every morning and I’m never disappointed. Your photos are top shelf and you introduce me to species that I’ve never seen before. I live in Oregon so we don’t have the same birds or insects as you do, traveling in the Midwest. Thank you.
What an absolute beauty.
Thank you. As always.