Sylvan Hairstreak Butterfly

A small butterfly with an accent of orange

One morning in late August I was attempting to photograph a dragonfly at the fish pond when I noticed small bluish butterflies on the mint flowers.  When the tiny butterfly came into focus with my Nikon 150mm macro lens, I discovered that it had an interesting orange accent on the lower edge of its wing. 

 

After I finished taking more photos, I rushed to my butterfly book and determined that this was a Sylvan Hairstreak, Satyrium sylvinus, one of the smallest butterflies in North America with a wing span of 1 to 1 3/8 inches (2.5 - 3.5 cm).   

 

Sylvan Hairstreaks are a Gossamer-wing butterfly which means that their delicate wings have the appearance of gauze with bright colors that reflect the sun when they are in flight.  The male Sylvan Hairstreak’s wing has a blue sheen with gray-brown or reddish on the upperside; while the female’s wing has more of a yellowish tinge with pale gray to white underside.  

 

The Hairstreak name comes from the hair like tail that extends from the hind wing.

 

Since their eggs are laid on the stems of a host plant, I will be carefully looking at the mint growing at the pond for any turban-shaped eggs or oval-shaped larva.  After winter’s hibernation, the caterpillars feed on the leaves of the host plant so I will also be on the watch for these caterpillars. 

 

 If by luck I do see the eggs or caterpillars, I will add a part two to this blog post.  

 

To read more about the Sylvan Hairstreak:

http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=BU0081

Subscribe to and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be, there is so much in nature to explore!

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Spring's Arrival of Painted Lady Butterflies

What's Buzzing on the Brussel Sprouts Blooms

One of the highlights of spring 2015 has been an influx of Painted Lady butterflies, Vanessa cardui, to my yard in western Nevada.  I do not recall these butterflies arriving in early spring, because they are usually here in late summer when the rabbit bushes are blooming.  I first began to notice a few butterflies landing on the wet dirt when I was watering my garden plants. Then I noticed numerous Painted Lady butterflies drawn to my Brussel sprouts plants, which I allowed to flower since they did not not produce any sprouts over winter. .  

One afternoon as I walked by the yellow flowers, I saw so much activity that I grabbed my Nikon with the 150mm macro lens and waited nearby.  

Not only were the blossoms attracting the butterflies, numerous worker bees were buzzing around, collecting the pollen.

While focusing in on the butterflies, I noticed a large number of moths coming to the flowers. From my research, moths also serve a very vital function to the environment along with butterflies and bees as pollinators. 

  

A Painted Lady with its straw-like proboscis unraveled, eating nectar from the flower. 

 

 Painted Lady butterflies use their feet to taste food.

As far as my Brussel sprouts plants goes, I think I came out way ahead by allowing the plants to flower, even though I did not get to eat any fresh sprouts.  What a fun and exciting photo opp this has been.  And by the way I did enjoy many of the plant's leaves in fresh salads during the winter.  

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Southern Butterfly Migrations in the Great Basin

Autumn Flight of Painted Ladies and Pygmy Blues

Autumn 2013 in the western portion of the Great Basin Desert has been very mild, following the record breaking heat of summer.  The warm days and cool nights have extended the growing season well into November, which is very unusual for this part of the U. S.

With so many flowers in bloom and the milder temperatures, I was beginning to fear that the Painted Lady butterflies were not going to show this year. 

Suddenly, as if on cue and when the days were starting to cool, Painted Ladies, along with the tiny Western Pygmy Blue butterflies were both here in large numbers.

The numerous sightings of painted lady, Vanessa cardui butterflies must be due to the prolific blooms of Rabbitbush and other plants that provide nourishment en route for their southward migration to the wintering habitats. 

The Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis) is the smallest butterfly in North America, with a wingspan of only one half inch (1.2 cm), it can easily go unnoticed.

 Preferring the Saltbush as its host plant and the alkali soil, it's no wonder the Western Pygmy Blue thrives in such great numbers around Walker Lake. 

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Western Pigmy Blue Butterfly

North America's Smallest Butterfly 

During the early morning on October first, I was enjoying my coffee while sitting outside by a lantana bush when I noticed a tiny set of blue wings on one of the leaves.  A closer look revealed a very small Western Pigmy Blue Butterfly.  The western pigmy blue butterfly, Brephidium exilis is the smallest butterfly species in North America, with a wingspan that measures from 5 to 7 millimeters.

Preferring warm salty areas, the western pygmy blue can be found in the Southwestern States of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. Over the last few summers, I have noticed more of these butterflies which may be due to the increased levels of salinity in Walker Lake.

After changing my camera lens to the Nikon macro 150mm 2.8, I began taking close ups while the butterfly was still.  The air temperature was was cool and butterflies need the sunlight on their wings to warm-up before they can start to fly.

 When the sun rose higher in the sky the butterfly slowly stirred from its leaf and moved to the lantana flower.  As a reference to how small this butterfly is, the entire lantana flower only measures approximately 3 centimeters across.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui

Spring Migration, 2012

Over the week of March 25--30, 2012, I have been noticing a large number of Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies in my yard at Walker Lake, Nevada. For this time of year, the temperatures have been very mild, ranging from the high 60's (15.6 c) during the day and only dropping to the 40's (4.4c) at night.  Walker Lake is located in Northern Nevada, in the Great Basin Desert, 38.71N and 118.72W at an elevation of approximately 4,300 feet (1310.64m).

The Painted Ladies are migratory, beginning their northern trek from Baja California up through the northwestern states in the early spring, when the temperatures warm and wildflowers become abundant.   Their numbers appear to increase every four, five or six years when there has been a good breeding season which is contingent on the rainfall and available food source.   

During migration the Painted Ladies do not stop along the way, flying at night, in straight lines over obstacles and not around them, burning their larval fat as an energy source.  Neither battered nor torn wings keep these amazing creatures from fulfilling their destiny within their two week lifespan. 

The Painted Lady has two eyes that are composed of 10,000 lenses. 

 The proboscis or tongue is used for drinking nectar; however the Painted Lady tastes thought its feet.   

Although the Painted Lady butterfly is the most widespread butterfly in the world, its numbers are decreasing in the United States due to loss of habitat and climate changes. 

For more information on the Painted Lady, please visit the following links:

http://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/node/446
http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/Article/painted-lady-butterfly

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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The Painted Lady Butterfly

 Accenting the Fall Flowers

The warm seasonal temperatures of this fall in 2011 have been such a delight to just get out with the camera and see what shows up.  Over the last few weeks, I've noticed a large number of Painted Lady butterflies that are highlighting the sunflowers along my walkway.  All I've had to do was just set up my D90 with the Nikon 150mm 2.8 macro lens on the tripod and click away.  

The Painted Lady butterfly, Vanessa cardui, also known as the thistle butterfly or cosmopolitan is one of the most widespread of all butterfly species because it is found in temperate and tropical areas across the globe. 

The adult Painted Lady's open orange wings extend  around 2 1/2 inches, 5-6 cm and are accented with white, blue and black circles.  

When folded, the underside of the wing is a duller shade of gray and brown with the leading edge accented in a white bar and smaller white spots.  Four small eyespots are visible on the hind wing. 

 

Even with pieces missing from this Painted Lady's wings, it seems to have no trouble maneuvering and flying. 

Painted Lady on a Rabbit Bush, Chrysothamnus nauseosus, that is native to the Great Basin Desert and blooms from August through October.    

Since the life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly is just a short two weeks, I will enjoy as much time as possible with these amazing creatures that flutter across my yard visiting each sunflower that is still in bloom.

For additional information:

http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/lepidopt/nymph/plady.htm

http://www.earthsbirthday.org/butterflies

Photographs Make Great Gifts

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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White Cabbage Butterfly

Fairy Dancers in the Yard

 

Late in October when the days are still warm, I notice a large number of butterflies at Walker Lake. This fall, I have been watching small white butterflies dance around my yard.  One morning when I happened to be walking by my hedge, I saw one of them land on a leaf. 

I quickly set my Nikon D90 with the 150 mm 2.8 macro lens on the tripod and slowly approached the butterfly.  I was afraid that the butterfly would fly off as I moved in for a closer shot. 

However, the butterfly was content to stay where it was and this became an exercise in patience for me.  To be this close to a willing subject made me determined to wait it out while I closely observed through the view finder and snapped the shutter at any activity.

After over an hour with sweat rolling down my aching back, the butterfly appeared to be cleaning its antenna and then decided it was time to take flight. 

Upon processing my RAW photos and getting out my butterfly book, I determined my friend to be a white cabbage butterfly with a bad reputation because when it is a caterpillar, it dines on our garden veggies.  

The adult white cabbage butterfly's wingspan measures around 1.25 to 2 inches or 32–47 mm.

For additional reading:
http://insects.about.com/od/butterfliesmoths/a/7-Fascinating-Facts-About-Painted-Lady-Butterflies.htm

Photographs Make Great Gifts

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Color Simplify Your Photograph

How to Color Compliment Your Photos

How often do you photograph a scene that you are drawn to, only to look at it on the computer screen and find that there's something about it that you just don't like. You are left feeling dissatisfied, wondering what inspired you to click the shutter.

In this post, I would like to discuss how the effective use of color balance and color simplicity will enhance your photograph, making it more visually appealing.

What could be the problem with you photograph is, it has such a broad range of colors that it is too busy and distracting. A good example is with this desert scene where all the wildflowers are in bloom. An actual scene in nature is viewed differently by our eyes than through the camera lens. As we look at the photo, our eyes do not want to spend too much time sorting out the image. Intuitively, we are drawn to an appealing image and shy away from the others.

Simplifying the scene with colors and including only objects that support the main subject allows our brain to process the image and not become overloaded with information. In the photo "Sugar Pine, Lake Tahoe” notice how the simple scene without color clutter creates a soothing and visually appealing photograph. To me, I feel like I am there, sitting on the bolder, gazing across Lake Tahoe.

On the color wheel you have analogous colors that are located next to each other, for example orange and yellow and green and blue. Analogous colors in a photograph create a soothing look with the scene, giving it flow and a feeling of harmony.

Complimentary colors on the other hand are opposite each other on the color wheel, red purple is opposite to and complimentary of yellow green, where as orange red is the compliment and opposite of blue green. Selecting or isolating complimentary colors in your photograph will accent the scene making it more outstanding. An example is with the photo, "Desert Tapestry" where the complimentary colors fall in the range of red purple and yellow green against the gray sky.

Another example of complimentary colors working well together is in the "Western Tiger Swallowtail" photograph, where the two dominant colors are yellow and purple. The two complimentary colors create contrast and each color makes the other appear more active, resulting in a more dynamic image.

There is no set rule on color choices for photography, just as there are no rules that nature must follow in providing us with such a rich and vibrantly colorful world. An understanding of how colors accent and augment the scene will help to avoid those photos that end up in the delete file, giving you that Oh Wow! moment with your photography.

For additional information:

http://www.photographyicon.com/psychology/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_wheel

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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