Wordless Wednesday: Some Fly United

Argynnis hyperbius Linnaeus, 1763 – Tropical Fritillary

Butterfly Photos: Grass Demon

This was a Tough One

 

 

There isn't anybody, around here, with a degree in bug-ology, that I know of.

So, I just do the best job I can, trying to identify these critters. Correct me if, I'm wrong.

This looks like a Udaspes folus, to me after having checked some great resources.

It was out behind the office, flapping around on some blacktop when, I first saw it.

It would be lots easier to take photos if, a white background could be used. 

So, I ran back inside and grabbed some old calendar pages, I had cut up.

There's pictures of nude models on the other side but, who wants to look at that ?

It's a good idea, to put something next to the subject, for a sense of scale.

I got thinking. Maybe people couldn't tell if, that's a thumbnail or a toenail.

 At this point in time, I wasn't sure if this was a moth or, a butterfly.

So, I figured it would be best, to take lots of photos from different angles.

 And, I made sure to take another shot, showing my thumbnail more clearly.

The chopped up girly calendar pages were safely stored where, nobody can see them.

Then, I started looking at thousands of moth and butterfly images.

Butterflies can be real easy to misidentify but, I think I got this one labeled correctly.

It's a Grass Demon or,  オオシロモンセセリ in Japanese.

Check the resources and, holler back at me if, you want me to change the name.

Butterflies of India

Butterflies of Singapore

Wildlife of Okinawa 

Butterfly Images: Oriental Plains Cupid

One Still Photo and Three GIF Animations

 

 

These shots were taken out behind my office yesterday, at various times.

Knowing, I would be out late doing moon photography, I stayed in the neighborhood.

 The little butterfly isn't much larger than the fingernail on your thumb.

It was hot outside but, sort of windy and, the garden was taking a beating.

 After spending most of the daylight hours, trying to identify this rascal, I remembered it.

The Chilades pandava was a guest on this blog once before. 

Learn more about these little pollinators at:

Butterflies of India

Butterflies of Singapore 

Malaysian Butterflies Gallery

  

 

Butterfly Images -- Possibly Pale Grass Blue

Small as a Fingernail

 

 

These photos were taken over the past two days, right behind my office.

Some were shot using a 300MM lens and, others with a 50MM, when I could get close enough.

It's a fast moving critter with blue wings.

When it lands on something, the wings close up and, you won't see any blue.

A Pale Grass Blue  (Zizeeria maha) can be found throughout Asia.

Some, were brought to Okinawa from Fukushima for observation.

The scientists, fed them contaminated (radioactive) food for their studies.

Now, don't panic when I tell you this but, nuclear stuff deforms the poor things.

Not to worry, I think all the contaminated freaks, were locked up in a labratory.

If I ever see one with three antenna, I'll only use the 300MM lens from now on !

REFERENCES:

In Photos: Fukushima Butterflies Plagued with Defects

The butterfly effect of Fukushima

Motion GIF: Peacock Pansy Butterflies

Camera:  Pentax K3

Lens:  Pentax 300MM + 1.4 converter = Focal Length:  420MM

 Exposure:  f/5.6   1/2500   ISO 400

Location:  Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  MAY 31  2015  3:42PM

 This species is called, Tatehamodoki (タテハモドキ) in Japan.

Junonia almana is it's scientific name.

 Learn More About the Peacock Pansy Butterfly

Butterflies in Flight from Tsuken Jima Okinawa

 

One of the Benefits of Digital Photography

 

 

When rainy season starts giving me cabin fever, I go through old photo files.

With thousands of travel photos stored on external drives, I can always find something.

These butterfly photos gave me some inspiration today.

Rice Paper or, Paper Kite Butterflies were flying overhead on Tsuken Island.

Every now and then, we get some beautiful weather during rainy season.

It was during the month of May, two years ago, when these photos were taken.

 Butterflies, in flight, are a real challenge for the photographer.

It's a good thing I saved these photos.

They cheered me up and, reminded me, it's time to make some travel plans.

It's just a short ferry ride, to Tsuken Jima (island) and it's a nice one day trip.

It would be a good idea to start paying attention to the extended weather forecasts. 

Butterflies aren't the only things that come to the island on a nice sunny day.

Did you know, they have girls in bikinis sometimes, too ?

It's easier to photograph butterflies, though.

They don't require model releases.

If you plan on going there to shoot girls in bikinis, you better ask for permission.

Being sort of shy, I'd rather shoot wildlife.

But, I'll pack a few model release forms, just in case !

More From Tsuken Jima

Wildlife Photo: Oriental Pratincole a Bird Found in Okinawa

What Sort of Beach Is a Pretty Beach to You?

Wildlife Photo: Coconut Crab on Tsuken Jima

What's Wrong With That Picture ? Nuclear Butterflies

Never Ending Surprises at Fukushima

This butterfly is normal, I think.

While searching Swallowtail Butterflies, for its scientific name, I got sidetracked.

An article, in the BBC News, caught my attention.

Scientists used to think insects, were kind of immune to radioactivity.

Now, they are finding mutated butterflies around Fukushima.

Go on over there and take a look.

Then, come on back over here and tell me.

What's wrong with that picture !

Butterfly Before the Typhoon

There's a Mini Typhoon Brewing

 

 

 

One job you never want to have, living on a tropical island, is Weatherman.

This thing, they're calling Tropical Depression #4 or, Leepi, is heading our way.

The weather folks have predicted sunshine, all day today.

Under brilliant blue skies, I walked the dogs this morning. Then, took an ice-cold shower.

Wearing brand new beach duds, I was going to take the cameras and spend all day outside.

But, before the emails were done, things changed.  A storm is coming and the sky turned gray.

So, I stayed at the office and shot butterflies out in the back yard.



Somehow, butterflies know when a typhoon is coming.

If  you studied their habits, I bet they'd be more accurate than any weather dude.

 
The rascals were real skittish and wouldn't hold still for a second.

So, I set up a tripod and used the Sigma 50-500mm lens.

My guess was, they'd land, again on those white and yellow flowers, I call weeds.

Time 2:49:58

At 2:52:33 a butterfly came along.

Firing the camera in Continuous Shooting Mode, it was still 2:52:33 when this photo was taken.

The little guy is moving fast.  My shutter-speed is 1/640 of a second.

At 2:52:41 he decides to land and I want to get a detailed shot of him.

So, I'm yelling stuff like, "Show me your eyes, you l'il varmint"!

It was 2:53:14 when I think he yelled back at me.

"Git back in your house, old man.  Don't you know, a typhoon is coming ?"

For Updates on Storm Conditions Check the Links Below

 

PACIFIC STORM TRACKER


ANOTHER FAVORITE OF MINE IS THE WEATHER WUNDERGROUND



Click for weather forecast  

Butterfly Photos: Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)

These little blue butterflies have been waiting in my photo files since November 2012.

They were captured with the Pentax K5 and 50-500mm Sigma lens.

Today, I decided it was time to get things out of last year's pending files.

The Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan has all the scientific Data on these bugs.

But, if you're anything like me and just use layman's terms, read about them over at:

Butterflies of Britain and Europe 

They have these butterflies in England and Ireland and we have them in Okinawa, too.

Photo Essay: Could These Be Hero Butterflies ?

The Cameras Are Always Ready

Out in the wild it's best to keep the cameras ready to fire at any moment.

When there are no birds, snakes or, furry critters around, bugs and butterflies will have to do.

This butterfly, with odd, eyeball-looking marks on its wings showed up.

The closest thing, I can find online, shows it resembles a Coenonympha hero.

That would be a pretty amazing butterfly, to catch on camera, because they are rare.

Just in case the scientists need one, I shoot lots of photos.

It's a good idea to shoot the other butterflies hanging around with them, too.

The real butterfly experts want to know what kind of plants they land on to feed.

And, they like to get an idea what the surrounding terrain looks like.

Here's a bit closer-up shot so, they can count the spots and see the antennae.

There's no way I'll call these butterflies Coenonympha Hero, until it's confirmed by scientists.

 These characters were spotted later in the day, frolicking around in the bushes.

 They acted more like heroes, if you ask me !

Photo Essay: A Look at Ikei Island in Okinawa, Japan

Ikei Island can be a simple one day visit for anyone wanting to get away from it all.

It's nice to be able to visit another island without having to take a ferry.

Sun-worshipers, beach-bums, jet-skiers, swimmers and snorkelers are welcome.

 If off-the-beaten-path is your style, you can do that, too.

 Just drive around the tobacco fields and take all the side roads.

Sooner, or later, you'll come across some important looking rock.

Find a trail, nearby and go on down to see what's there.

Maybe, you'll see some Rice Paper Butterflies along the way.

Sometimes, you find a beach with nobody on it. Flip-flops not recommended here.

So I left.

 Nakabura Vestige is a restoration of some ancient dwellings on Ikei Island.

Red Helen Butterflies hangout around there, too. 

It's hard for me to decide what my favorite part of the day was on the island. 

Maybe, catching this lizard out in nature. 

Or, catching a steak dinner for under twenty bucks, back at Igei Beach's Restaurant !