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Thorybes bathyllus on Asclepis purpureus
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: John Denk (jpdenk)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 1 N: 400]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (1084) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2007-06-16 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Camera: Nikon D70, Micro Nikkor AF60mm f2.8 |
| Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds |
| Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-03-16 8:39 |
| Viewed: 535 |
| Points: 10 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Here's a Skipper butterfly (ID's welcome, but I think it is Thorybes bathyllus)sipping from flowers of Asclepias purpurascens, Purple Milkweed.
Skippers are usually very active, small butterflies, and can be quite frustrating to photograph, but this one let me get up close with my 60mm macro, which surprised me. I guess the nectar it was gathering must have been so good that it was ignoring me.
Here's some info about Skippers from Wikipedia:
"Insects in the family Hesperiidae (superfamily Hesperioidea) of the order Lepidoptera are commonly called skipper butterflies, after their quick, darting flight habits.
Skippers differ in several important ways from the remaining butterflies, which are classified in the superfamily Papilionoidea and the neotropical superfamily Hedyloidea. Collectively, these three groups of butterflies share several characteristics especially in the egg, larval and pupal stage (Ackery et al. 1999). However, skippers have the antennae clubs hooked backward like a crochet hook, whilst butterflies have club-like tips to their antennae and hedylids have feathered or pectinate antennae giving them an even more "moth"-like appearance than skippers. Skippers also have generally stockier bodies than the other two groups, with stronger wing muscles. Hesperioidea is very likely the sister group of Papilionoidea, and together with Hedyloidea constitute a natural group or clade.
There are about 3400 species of Skippers."
The plant that it's on, Asclepias purpurascens, is another of the Milkweeds and is fairly uncommon here. I typically see it growing among prairie plants near borders of woodlands or oak groves. |
gerbil, jusninasirun, boreocypriensis, Maite has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- gerbil
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 51 W: 2 N: 37]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-s.gif)
(196) - [2008-03-18 16:55]
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Very nice color and good focus on this picture. a minor disturbance is the leaf in the upper right corner. This could be cropped out.
Anyway, great macro shot!
Hello John. This might be the same as in my gallery Thymelicus Sylvestris. I like the sharpness here with the pink flowers makes good contrast. The muted background is pleasing. Regards. Jusni
Hello My beloved friend John,
Superb macro capture my friend! as usual- excellent details, nice POV and DOF! TFS.
Greetings,
Bayram
Ps. Now I am in Kilis Province (SE Anatolia)
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- mariki
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 989 W: 65 N: 2016]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(8413) - [2008-04-08 8:37]
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Hello John,
Nice presentation of this skipper on beautiful flowers. Good POV and DOF. Good focus on the head of the insect. Splendid colours.
Cheers,
Mariki
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- Maite
(4928)
- [2008-05-07 3:50]
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What a superb macro, John!! How beautiful with those colors and how perfectly made! I love the great sharp details on the little skipper and the beautiful flowers. The subject stands out perfectly against the beautiful blurred bg.
Congratulations and thank you very much for sharing.
Best regards
Maite
