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COMMON LIME MUD PUDDLING


COMMON LIME MUD PUDDLING
Photo Information
Copyright: Sumon Sinha (Mana) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 24 N: 4870] (15888)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-20
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-H2
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-28 1:19
Viewed: 527
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 92
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I am yet to be on terms and the workload piled up during my absence is taking up a lot of my time. Still I am managing to take out what little time I have for TN and post this image of a Common Lime mud puddling at Deras - a few kilometers from Bhubaneswar which actually is famous for its Elephant inhabitants. Shot taken hand-held in glaring daylight. Hope everyone like this one.

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The Common Lime or the Lemon Butterfly (Papilio demoleus) is a common and widespread Swallowtail butterfly. It gets its name from its host plants which are usually citrus species such as the lime. It is also sometimes called the Chequered Swallowtail. Unlike most swallowtail butterflies it does not have a prominent tail.

Wingspan 80-90mm. A large tailless swallowtail that is mostly creamy yellow and black. Sexes alike. In freshly emerged specimens, the cream yellow is almost fluorescent, but this lovely brightness gradually changes into a dull rusty orange with age.

It is widely distributed except in the highest hills. Individuals are seen throughout the year but their populations peak before the onset of the heavy monsoon rains. It is a butterfly of the open spaces and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is found wherever its larval host plant, citrus, grows. It is not a butterfly of the high canopy and is more likely to be seen on low bushes and shrubs. It flies very fast around noon, being somewhat sluggish in the early morning hours. The male frequently settles on wet soil, often keeping his wings in motion, ready to fly away if disturbed. Both sexes visit flowers with delight where they will spend a few fleeting seconds before moving on to the next flower. While feeding, they keep their wings in rapid motion, only occasionally keeping them still, particularly the older specimens that are probably tired and weary. They rarely visit Eupatorium odoratum, which is popular with many other species of swallowtails.

It is very common. It is perhaps the most widely distributed swallowtail in the world. It is particularly abundant during and after the monsoons. As the butterfly ages, the yellow markings on the wings deepen to orange. Its range indicates the butterfly's tolerance and adaptation to diverse habitats. It is to be found in savannahs, fallow lands, gardens, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and shows a preference for stream and riverbeds. In India it is mostly found in the plains but can be found on the hills of peninsular India and up to 7000 feet in the Himalayas. It is common in urban gardens and may also be encountered in wooded country.

This butterfly is an avid mud-puddler and visitor of flowers. It basks with its wings held wide open on tufts of grass, herbs and generally keeps within a metre above the ground, even on cloudy days. It relies on its quick flight for escape.

It is an interesting butterfly in that it has a number of modes of flight. In the cool of the morning, the flight is slow considering that it is an edible and unprotected swallowtail. As the day progresses, it flies fast, straight and low. In the hotter part of the day, it may be found settling on damp patches where it will remain motionless, except for an occasional flutter of wings, if not disturbed.

It is also a frequent visitor of flowers in gardens, where it shows a preference for flowers of smaller herbs rather than larger plants such as the ubiquitous Lantana with its plentiful blooms. It can be found swarming in the groves of its foodplants. While resting, the butterfly closes its wing over its back and draws the forewings between the hindwings.

Scientific classification -
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. demoleus
mariki, cicindela, eng55, mayuresh, Alex99, uleko, vanderschelden, SelenE, septama, lousat, jaycee, Adanac, eqshannon, maurydv, gracious, Argus, anel, haraprasan, boreocypriensis, marhowie, Heaven, Ken52, valy67, ramthakur, Maite has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hola Sumon, una palabra FANTASTICA, nitida, con buena luz y color. Perfectos detalles y texturas. Un saludo

Hello Sumon,

Great picture of this butterfly. Very good composition, POV and DOF. Excellent sharpness and wonderful detail. The sunlight was very strong but you handeld it very well. Superb colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 196 W: 2 N: 501] (1904)
  • [2008-06-28 1:45]

Hello Sumon,
Excellent shot! Everything is right about this shot. The light, the composition, the focus, the way you framed it... everything!
Congratulation's with this picture!

TFS Siggi

Hello Sumon!
Wonderful picture of very colourful Papilionidae species. I like its pose during a "dinner", and clarity of image. Very nice work and informative note :)
All the best and have a nice weekend!
Friendly yours,
Radomir

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 351 W: 3 N: 375] (1121)
  • [2008-06-28 2:28]

Hi Sumon,
Beautiful close up.Exposure is spot on,focus couldn't be better.POV,details,colors,sharpness and composition are perfect.Very well done!
Thanks for posting.

Hello Sumon,
An incredible sharp and beautiful photo. The details are amazing. Wonderful colours and composition. POV and DOF are excellent.
Have a nice weekend,
Peter

Hi sumon,
excellent work of this lime, full details and showing its behaviour very well. but tell me what is the logic behind cropping like this (from rectangle to square format). here the lime is bold and almost to edge to edge. hope you can clear my doubt. your comments are very valuable. TFS.
nagrj.v

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 987 W: 282 N: 3225] (10662)
  • [2008-06-28 3:32]

Hello Sumon,
you present us an excellent picture of this swallowtail butterfly.
Particularly, I like the light and the brilliance of the colours in combination with the
admirable sharpness. I enjoy the beautiful colour pattern of the butterfly which is shown
with high clarity.
Best wishes, Peter

Hello Sumon da,
This is a fantastic and outstanding shot,everything is wonderful here,superb composition and pov,
very well done,
TFS

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 148 N: 4435] (14369)
  • [2008-06-28 3:44]

Hi Sumon.
Yu are successful photographer. You have met so beautiful specimen and take a wonderful shot of it. Superb square composition and fine reproduction of butterfly colouration and all attractive details including tiniest ones. I like amazing lighting and pleasant BG. Well done (as always) and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • san Silver Note Writer [C: 6 W: 0 N: 20] (146)
  • [2008-06-28 3:48]

A welcome post Sumon Sir,
I have missed viewing your butterfly frames.
A superb picture, excellent sharpness.
TFS
San

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2369 W: 164 N: 7114] (22494)
  • [2008-06-28 4:28]

Hello Sumon,
Fantastic capture of this beautiful butterfly puddling in the mud! In spite of the strong light your capture is perfect in all respects! I love its pose and the straight proboscis! Very impressive!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Very good image, Sumon.
Superb compo. Technically well done. Beautiful.
Wonder what that white substance or liquid is?
TFS
Annick

Hi Sumon,

Beautifully captured picture of Lime butterfly in activity,you could have left more space all around is what I felt, otherwise its perfect.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1292 W: 104 N: 4589] (20415)
  • [2008-06-28 5:50]

Hello Sumon, another one of your fabulous shots! So sharp and clear, great subject and another winner! Thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2304 W: 59 N: 3674] (11774)
  • [2008-06-28 7:47]

Hi Sumon,
It's crisp sharp, very well focused, composed and exposed. Well done and TFS
Greetings,
Selen

Hi Sumon,
Excellent close up shot!, the lightness, contrast, composition and dof are awesome, it is a rare opportunity to see butterfly landed in the mud, hope it's not catch by a frog or toad :)
thanks for the useful notes

cheers

Hi Sumon,no need comment,this fanatstic pic it's a great beauty as the butterfly,my ebst compliments,Luciano

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 1 N: 3967] (13346)
  • [2008-06-28 9:50]

Hello Sumon,
Extrordinary image with incredible sharp details and brilliant colors. Thank you Sumon.
Rick

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1681 W: 8 N: 4318] (14043)
  • [2008-06-28 9:52]

Hi Sumon,

I am so glad you continue to post even though you have so little time. A beautiful Common Lime with superb colors and details. The wings, face, eye, body, legs and antennae all have amazing clarity. I first learned about mud puddling on TN last year abd you show it perfectly.

Jane

Well you have to keep the real time dollars coming in Sumon, so photos I guess must take a back seat once in a while...but when now as here you do post, it is always worthy of seeing...and notes complete as you always do so well..Very nice to see you back today at least!
Bob

Mi meraviglia ogni volta la raffinata eleganza e la straordinaria bellezza delle tue composizioni, come se tu potessi preparare la scenografia e gli insetti recitassero la loro parte, eccellenti POV e DOF, superba definizione dei dettagli, fantastici i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Excellent perspective, color and depth of field. This is of exceptionally high technical quality. The butterfly pops right out of the image for the viewer.

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1580 W: 242 N: 5278] (18595)
  • [2008-06-28 13:47]

Fantastic shot!!!
Very sharp and very detailed.
Excellent composition and a great parallel POV.
Perfect DOF.

Very well done, Sumon.

Joe

Hello Sumon
Beautiful picture of beautiful butterfly. Perfect composition, colours and amazing sharpness.
Thanks for presenting
Ania

Hello my friend Sumon,
Delighted to see your brilliant posting of the Common Lime with the beautiful pose of it!
perfect sharpness, awesome colour and superb details always
my compliment
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2487 W: 132 N: 7075] (22101)
  • [2008-06-28 21:53]

Hello Sumon,
Superb sharp capture of a Mud-puddling P. demoleus taken with unbeatable sharpness and a POV that shows its long legs and proboscis seeking minerals.
This fresh specimen of a Common Lime looks so striking against the light brown mud in its closed-wing pose.
Thanks for sharing this delight,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-28 23:04]

Hello Sumon

Awesome spot on focus.
The colours are vibrant and vivid.
Excellent details.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1115 W: 0 N: 1829] (7816)
  • [2008-06-29 2:33]

hello Sumon,
A picture full of light and interesting from the subject. It illustrates well, what you write in your note, which is excellent too. They are just splendid, these butterflies..
Best regards
Anne

Hi Sumon da,
A lovely capture of this common lime mud puddling. Superb details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Sumon
Crystal clear image with lovely color and fine detail
tfs jon

Ciao Sumon, superb butterfly with fantastic colors, splendid sharpness and fine details, fascinating design on wings, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Hi Sumon, perfectly focused and detailed macro capture of a Lemon Butterfly. Great posture:) and composition too. TFS.
Cheers,
Bayram

Hello Sumon,

You have done exceptionally well to capture an image like this in glaring light!
Wonderful, detailed image with superb colours and excellent composition.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Beautiful work Sumon!
I've come to expect nothing less from you :)
This specimen looks to be in perfect condition..
Very well done, the pleasure is all mine.
Howard

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 407 W: 83 N: 768] (2929)
  • [2008-06-29 13:02]

Hi Mana!

Your pictures attend a quality that makes it difficult to say much about them. Also this one is marvellous, crystal sharp and held in magnificient colours. The technical aspects are perfect. It's a real pleasure to look at it, and, as usually, the notes are very interesting.

Kind regards

Markus

EXPLÉNDIDO CONTROL DE LA LUZ Y COMO SIEMPRE UNA BELLA TOMA

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 660 W: 98 N: 1249] (4153)
  • [2008-06-29 20:36]

Stunning image with amazing light, colors, and details. Control of the bright light is exceptional! Great texture in wings. That's a beautiful butterfly.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 839 W: 4 N: 2079] (9752)
  • [2008-06-29 21:45]

This is perfect sumon, Just beautiful. Great shot Ganesh

Hello Sumon !
I missed so many of your wonderful shots during my absence ! This one is particularly beautiful, I love the butterfly, his colors, his markings. Also pin-sharp details, vivid colors, perfect composition and POV, and yo have also captured an interesting moment, this mud-puddling looks quite strange to me. Very well done !
Valerie.

Despite bright light, the capture is first rate, Sumon.
This butterfly has a very charming personality which comes through strongly in your sharp and crisp picture.
The brown BG is very suitable for the light-coloured subject.
Well done and TFS.
Ram

Nice shot. Sharply focussed and good pov. The posture of the butterfly looks beautiful.

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 978 W: 64 N: 1189] (4884)
  • [2008-07-02 4:06]

Hello Sumon
Excellent shot and beautiful capture so sharp and clear! These butterflies are really outstanding.
Thank you very much for sharing.
Best regards
Maite

Hallo Sumon
Due to the fact that I have been ill, I just could not give my comments to some of the lovely images that appeared and past me by on the gallery. Now I have such a lot of catching up to do so please pardon me for only saying……………………
Splendid image. It is indeed a feast to the eye and it did not go unnoticed. Your excellent skills as photographer is proven in the display of this beauty. Great stuff and magnificent to view.
Best regards
Anna

Hello my old friend Sumon,
this macro is a great art work,
splendid job
cheer,
friendly,
Pat

www/imagespassion.be

light so well managed
wonderful creature !
regards
jo

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