The Nature Photography Thread

[RedSidedSPR]

I'll check your channel. I'm your cameras biggest fan!! You're OK too i guess.

[ConcinusMan]

You're OK too i guess.

Now don't get carried away.

[RedSidedSPR]

I'll try to restrain myself

[ConcinusMan]

Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)

About 10 minutes ago, in my backyard. Portland, Oregon metro area. Sunny, very light breeze, 72.5 degrees F. Camera: Nikon Coolpix s6000.





I also shot some really nice quality video that clearly shows the butterfly feeding and fluttering about. It's going to take some time to upload to youtube. Should be available for viewing late tonight or tomorrow. I've been waiting for this opportunity, for this particular species, for over 3 years now. I am very satisfied after such a long wait. It was a good encounter and I got very good footage/pics. The butterfly was very cooperative. This is the largest butterfly species around here in summer. They're huge!

OK, scratch that part in red. Going through the same bullspit I go through quite often with uploading to youtube. Gets to 29 percent and "failed due to unknown error" Just not going to happen until it decides to start working again. I do not know when that will be. Sorry. It's really good video and you can even hear the wings flapping! Just can't upload a 2 minute video. it's not even a big file. *sigh* Youtube sucks in this regard. "congratulations, your account has been approved for videos longer than 15 minutes" Good luck with that. Can't even upload two minutes.

Here's some more pics for now:





Does anyone know if this is a male or female swallowtail? I am told there is a way to tell but I'll be darned if I can see the difference.

[kibakiba]

I think that's a male. The way their wings are coloured and shaped are different for males and females. Females also have a curve on their body, near their butt.

[ConcinusMan]

[snakehill]

Damn! That sucker is HUGE!!!

[RedSidedSPR]

Nice video man!

[ConcinusMan]

Damn! That sucker is HUGE!!!

Bigger than the hummingbirds around here. If you think that's big, I had one of these visit my yard once. Giant moth | Photo

It was way bigger than that butterfly. Birds were attempting to take it down but weren't having any luck!

[snakehill]

Woof!!!