The health of pollinators is critical to our environment and ecosystems. Each pollinator plays an important role in transferring pollen and enabling plants to produce fruits and seeds. It is through this pollen transfer from plant to plant that genetic material is transferred, allowing plants to reproduce, produce fruit, prevent soil erosion, and more.
This shot was made at Taylor Park in Granger Lake. Lantanas are known to attract butterflies. So, when I saw that lantana bush, it was just a matter of seconds before I could spot a butterfly. This beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) has an average lifespan of only two weeks. The vivid metallic blue on the hindwings is produced not by pigment but by microscopic nanostructures that scatter light — a phenomenon called structural color, similar to how a soap bubble shimmers. Lantanas are among their favorite nectar sources and are commonly planted in Texas gardens to attract them.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Butterfly, Granger Lake, Lantana, Pipevine swallowtail, Taylor Park, Texas, Wildflowers, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Splendida farfalla e splendide foto!
Egidio Leitao
Grazie.
solaner
what a beauty!
great capture, Egídio
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, André.
Pamela Zmija Photography
Fantastic photo of the butterfly Egidio! So beautiful. Any tips of photographing butterflies?
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your compliments, Pam. As for tips, the first is patience. Butterflies don’t always sit still on a flower. Make sure your shutter speed is very high, e.g., 1/2000 s or maybe longer.
Anita
Oh… what an incredibly amazing butterfly Egidio!! And you managed to capture it so beautifully with your camera.
I’m still waiting for the butterflies to appear, but the weather isn’t great here on the island right now.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita. These butterflies are hard to photograph because they move constantly, even keeping their wings moving when they are getting nectar.
Steve Schwartzman
Good catch. Swallowtails are often hard to photograph because they usyally keep moving their wings even when drawing nectar from flowers.
Egidio Leitao
Tell me about it, Steve! 🙂 I have so many blurry photos. I keep my shutter speed very high for them. I appreciate your note.
margaret21
What a beautiful – and unusually coloured – butterfly.
Egidio Leitao
They are stunning, Margaret. Thanks.
Vicki
The blue on that butterfly is amazing. Great photos too.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for the feedback, Vicki. I’m glad you liked them.