Swallowtail - Favourite Photo of 2011

[Vince Massimo]

This is a thread in which to post your favourite photo(s) of a particular species taken in 2011..........................or the last time you saw one!

This is part of a series which will hopefully grow throughout the winter until all 58 British species have been covered. Three new threads will be introduced per week. Our overseas friends are welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to our rare migrants, but please try to observe the alphabetical listing

Details of places, dates, times and circumstances would be appreciated and please feel free to contribute observations of behaviour, personal encounters, anecdotes and other interesting points.

Vince

[marmari]

I have not had the honour or pleasure of seeing one in this country so looking forward to seeing some pics.

[Rosalyn]

Strumpshaw Fen, we found this one newly emerged and struggling to get out of the grass in the high winds. Philib helped it on it's way

[Neil Hulme]

Also from Strumpshaw Fen, taken on the uncultivated sloping ground beyond the doctor's garden. Up to ten Swallowtails were nectaring on the Rough Hawk's-beard here, until the flowers closed up for the day in the early afternoon. As soon as the nectar restaurant shut they melted away back into the fen. A happy memory of a short holiday with my parents, showing my butterfly-mad father his first ever 'tail'.
Neil

[Mark Colvin]

Great shot Neil.

I'd certainly be happy with that one!

[Rosalyn]

Strumpshaw in the small field adjacent to the garden, First brood Imago. caterpillar found when looking for second brood in the Fen

[marmari]

Yes a great shot Neil,and two lovely photos too,Rosalyn.
This butterfly always looks spectacular when photographed from that angle as in your second pic.
Thanks

[Goldie M]

I like this photo because I can see the water of the Norfolk B in it. I walked along the path by the broads looking for the SWT and it suddenly flew down and landed just in front of me. I must admit I pannicked incase it took off again before i could take a photo I took the pic at How Hill on the 11th June, the sun was shining but there was a cool breeze off the water, it was a wonderful sight Goldie M

[PhiliB]

The first photo is an unashamedly contrived shot of a second brood Swallowtail from Strumpshaw Fen - see Rosalyn #1 above.
I was pleased to get the second shot, as this gorganus was rapidly flapping its wings in order to maintain balance, a shutter speed of 1/2500s froze the action sufficiently.
Phil

[dilettante]

I like the feel of this one:



And I like this one too (but damn that out of focus reed):


A more classic shot, but less interesting compositionally:


All Strumpshaw Fen, 7-May-11. Sony A700, Tamron 180/3.5

[MikeOxon]

And I like this one too (but damn that out of focus reed):

Very easy to deal with in Photoshop! - but perhaps you are more purist than I am. Very nice pic.

I was pleased to get the second shot

Marvellous shot with perfect timing!

Mike