Butterfly Help

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Hi Everyone,

I have recently been up on the Southdowns and Ashdown Forest a lot and have been seeing quite a few different butterflies. I would like to take photo's but everytime I get half close the little blighter flies off....any tips from you insect people on how to get a good shot of what I am seeing or is it just a case of being lucky?

Cheers Jacob

[Cazzie]

You've got to get your 'creeping up' action sorted! (are you wearing a safari suit?!? ) Spy one flitting, follow it until it lands and if you think it's going to go again just use your zoom and snap it, or if you're lucky and it's settled, go into stealth mode and get in quick for a macro shot! Have to admit a good zoom is your friend when trying to capture butterflies.

Tbh, I think it's a case of right place, right time - just go for it, and keep snapping!

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

the best option is to get up early and photograph them while they are warming up , you can usually take your time while they are still cold.
If you have to shoot them in the day then find one that has landed. Don't cast a shadow on it or it will be off. Deside from which direction you want to take the photo, hold the camera to your eye and have everything set and ready from a distance.You then start to move closer in a STRAIGHT LINE , this is very important as the butterfly will detect the slightest sideways movement and regard you as a threat and fly off.
Some butterflies will not let you get close and all you can do is tear your hair out. You will find plenty though that will let you get close if you move slowly and in a straight line.

Hope this helps,

neil

[Ukwildlifeo]

I think its just something you get the knack of eventually - creeping up on butterflys and dragonflys. I find moving slowly and steadily helps. Also if you have a decently zoom or supermacro mode on your camera take a few shots just after the thing has landed from distance (so atleast your get a shot) then slowly creep forward, being careful not to move across its field of vision (ie. head straight for it) or let you shadow fall across it.

Then again sometimes your get one that you can poke and it doesn't move and another than flies off as soon as you start to move you camera towards you face. lol Happy hunting and good luck

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Just ordered a full camo suit! And I have gone for the Buddleia version just to attract them to me! LOL!!!

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by Scarlet Pimpernel

Just ordered a full camo suit! And I have gone for the Buddleia version just to attract them to me! LOL!!!

Now that's inspired!!!!

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Scarlet Pimpernel

Just ordered a full camo suit! And I have gone for the Buddleia version just to attract them to me! LOL!!!

Blue seems to attract some butterflies

henrya

[Gill Catton]

I actually find late afternoon better than morning as they are a touch more active and likely to alert you to their presence while still being keen to rest and soak up the last of the sun. Otherwise as has been suggested move slowly the closer you get the slower you should move!!

[mh68]

Excellent advice so far. I`ve found that it often pays to wait a few seconds before approaching to let them become engrossed in feeding - as with most wildlife when theyre busy feeding theyre distracted and are often easier to get close to.Last week I was photographing a group of Peacocks feeding and actually brushed one with the lens i was so close - it merely shifted position and continued feeding!

Mark H