Isn't modern technology wonderful. Not so long ago, an open-wing shot of a Brimstone was almost impossible to achieve whereas now, with fast and accurate auto-focus and high-speed shooting, it only needs patience and the ability to point the camera in the right direction at the right time
My photo takes me back to a brilliant day in early Spring, when I shot loads of photos of Brimstones nectaring on a patch of Primroses, at my local Dry Sandford Pit reserve. Shooting at 10 frames per second, I soon ended up with a memory card full of pics, from which I kept 81, many of which provided excellent top-side views.
The one I have chosen is not, however, one of those but, instead, illustrates the mutual benefits provided by the relationship between the flower and butterfly. I learned about the different types of Primrose flowers,
known as 'pin' and 'thrum', which facilitate transfer of pollen between flowers. The pollen grains can be seen clearly on the proboscis of the butterfly in my photo, which has gained its reward for the service offered to the flower in the form of nectar.
- Dry Sandford Pit, Cothill, Oxon - 26th March 2017
Olympus E-M1 with 100-400mm lens - 1/4000s@f/8 ISO640
Mike
