Had three Painted Ladies emerge today. Eventhough they went into the chrysalis stage on different days!!! All were out within a hour of each other.
Gosh these have such an intricate design on the underside - and love that salmon color!!!
~ Cat
This message was edited Apr 4, 2007 10:58 AM
...and the top side view. I am rarely able to get up close to the ones that are out in the wild as they flit away quickly. It's good to be able to get some nice photos of them while they are still fresh.
~ Cat
This message was edited Apr 4, 2007 10:57 AM
Are you just possessed of some kind of Disney magic to get one to land on your finger???? Beautiful pictures.
LOL, Are you dipping your finger in something that attracts them Cat?
Great pics!!
Usually they are not quite ready to fly away after emerging when I take photos of them on my finger or hand. :-) After emerging, they often like to just rest and dry their wings and get ready for their newfound freedom of flight! ;-)
No magic...they are freshly emerged ones that I raised.
Like Becky said, they aren't quite ready to fly away when their wings are still a bit soft. I gently let them perch on my hand or nearby blossoms so I can take photos. Then I set them on flowers in the sunshine so their wings can dry out and harden and they can fly off when they are ready.
ps...but if you're patient...you can dip your fingers into butterfly bait and hold them up into the air - Red Admirals, Hackberry Emperors, Tawny Emperors and other fruit feasters might land on you. I've cut up oranges and wiped my hands on my shirt sleeves (good thing Mom doesn't read this) and have had butterflies land on my shirt.
~ Cat
This message was edited Apr 4, 2007 3:16 PM
