Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Russian Sage

Monday, October 10, 2016

Grizzled Skipper on Autumn Flowers

A butterfly or moth, it's a Skipper!

With summer winding down and autumn slowly moving in, what could be more heart warming than finding a new species of butterfly on the late blooming flowers?

While I was observing a number of smaller butterflies fluttering on the Mexican sunflowers and Russian sage, I happened to notice one with different markings on its wings. I managed to get several exposures of the butterfly before it darted off, out of sight.

My butterfly identification book listed this as a Skipper, the Grizzled skipper, in the family Hesperiidae of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). The Grizzled skipper has a black and white checkerboard pattern on its 1.1-1.3 inch (29-33 mm) wings.

The Grizzled skipper may be called a butterfly; however they are in the superfamily Hesperioidea with the moth-like Hdeyloidea. Butterflies are in the superfamily Papilionoidea from the genus Papilio meaning butterfly.

The visual difference between the skipper and butterfly lies with the larger, moth-like body of the skipper, its smaller wings and hook-like antenna tip.

Skippers are named for their fast, darting flight; and there are more than 3500 species across the globe.

I will continue to watch my flowering plants for more Grizzled skippers that might be passing through. What a treat to be there with my camera and catch this fascinating moth-like creature.

Subscribe to and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will take me. There are so many wonders in nature to explore!

For additional reading:

http://butterfly-conservation.org/50-1011/grizzled-skipper.html

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.

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

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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.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Winter Storm Accents Flowers

Diffused Lighting, Snowflakes and Flowers

The autumn of 2012 in Northern Nevada has been anything but typical with warm sunny days and mild nights. As all good things must eventually come to an end, on the morning of November 10th. a cold front passed through the area covering the landscape in a blanket of snow.

Once the storm passed, the sky remained overcast which created nice, even soft lighting. A walk through the yard found the flowers decorated with snow that were still in bloom.

The diffused lighting without the harsh shadows and contrast from direct sunlight allowed the colors of the flowers to appear more saturated, as with the red filaments on the bird of paradise bush.

A pink petunia nestled in the snow might make an attractive Christmas card.

The additional moisture accented the plants, creating interesting patterns with water droplets.

The thorn on the branch of a purple robe locus trees stands out in sharp contrast against the light background, the near freezing temperature suspends a water drop that is too frigid to fall.

A stalk of Russian Sage wears a frosty hat.

The scattered light passing through the clouds creates a surreal, dreamy effect on the pampas grass.

Finding the conditions completely favorable in nature photography is often a huge challenge. However, when things are just right it is a fun and rewarding experience to be out there and in the moment.

Great news, "November Montmartre", an exhibition of photographers from around the world has been extended through December 13th. For mor information, please follow the link:

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/11/bonnie-rannalds-photographic.html