Tag: Butterflies

The Tiny Guardian

Color Photography, wildlife
Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Tiny Guardian 61520” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

The little skipper butterflies would seem to be the most benevolent creatures in the Appalachian Mountains.  They have no claws, no stinger and their mouths are nothing more than tubes to sip nectar through.  But over the past few days I’ve noticed that one has taken up residence on my porch.  He’s claimed everything within a few feet to be his and his alone. And he defends his claim fearlessly! It started when I noticed him perched on one of the posts and that he seemed to continue to return to the same spot several times per day.  Then I noticed a large Tiger Swallowtail interested in the primrose growing up near my carport.  The little skipper sprung into action and few a sortie around the primrose battering the Swallowtail with its wings. The Swallowtail is much larger but the agile little skipper kept up his relentless pursuit into forest and soon returned victorious. Then another skipper made its approach to the treasured flower and was also quickly vanquished. The little guy even executed successful counterattacks on paper wasps and mud daubers throughout the day. He’s quite the warrior! And the I spotted another skipper leisurely feeding on the primrose. The first skipper didn’t seem to mind and actually joined the second on the flowers.  It was at that point I realized what was going on.  He was guarding that food source for her. This was his mate. For the rest of the day they shared the nectar and occasionally the post that functioned as his command center.  I’m certain that she’s going to lay her eggs on the hog peanut vine that I discovered a while back and ensure that I have a plentiful supply of tiny little skipper butterflies in the future.  They say that it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog.  The little skipper butterfly reminded me of that today when he took on two nests of wasps and won even though he’s seemingly unarmed.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!


https://youtu.be/UPXlC0uaXW4

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

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Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

An Eastern Tailed Blue Encounter.

Color Photography

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Eastern Tailed Blue 80420a” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

Sweat rolls down my face as I slowly cruise the edge of the forest in the humid summer air. Somewhere in the thick undergrowth I can hear the constant rhythmic chirp of a pair of Cardnials working their hunting grounds. As I near the spot I can hear them retreat to the cover of the brambles at the bottom of the mountain. I knelt down into the cover believing that if could set still long enough they might return. Instead a small flower sprung to life and skillfully navigated the entanglements of the thick vegetation.

The diminutive size and pale blue color told me that was the Eastern Tailed Blue. I presume that she has been laying her eggs in either the Redbud or the wild beans that grow here. Her brood will feed on the developing seeds of these legumes. As I watched her pose as a blossom on the Jewelweed I couldn’t help but imagine that this was some wild fairy in disguise. The The pale blue interacting with the light gave an ethereal luminescence against the lush green background. An older gentlemen once told me that when a butterfly lands on you that it’s really an angel come to grant a wish. My only wish today is to hold on to the magic of special moments that connect me to the wilderness if my Appalachian Mountains.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer

Thank you again for your support of my page! ❤

The Male Pipevine Swallowtail Encounter On July 26th.

Color Photography, wildlife

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Settle 72320” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

The midday sun hovers high over my mountain illuminating the patch of Rose Of Sharon bushes on the edge of my yard. As I step around the corner the freshly opened flowers are alive with bees, wasps and butterflies. I began to move in closer and when I do the butterflies retreat a little deeper into the sea of flowers. I suppose that the phrase “Chasing Butterflies” is cliche for a reason. I cautiously step into the high weeds using the camera monopod to probe for snakes until I reach the open spot where a deer had bedded down the night before. If I set still long enough they’ll come back I promised myself. The bumblebees and carpenter bees float effortlessly between blooms with so much pollen covering their bodies that they look as thought they’ve flown through a snowstorm. And then finally the sun catches the iridescent blue hind wings as they move through the thick underbrush. I waited and watched and for several minutes I thought the male Pipevine Swallowtail would work it’s way the other direction. The suddenly he turned and came back as if he suddenly remembered something that he’d forgotten. The long lens only provides a narrow opportunity for focusing in the confined space but as the butterfly hovered for a moment before landing everything came together. The buzzing of a mosquito in my right ear distracts me for moment and the reflex to deal with the annoying creature gets the better of me. But when I look back up the Pipevine Swallowtail is gone and a second mosquito is trying to land on my face. The swarm has found me and that means it’s time to step away from their hunting grounds. I’ll be back out to the patch in a few days to chase the butterflies again.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

The Morning Rise

Color Photography, wildlife

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Silver Spotted Skipper 61520a” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

The widening solar arc will soon reach zenith marking a change in seasons. The days of the full sun are at hand. The tiny Skipper butterfly rests easy in the shade as the sunbeam steadily ebbs closer. Like the ticking of a clock light flows through the porus canopy until it caresses the tiny wings. In response the wings slowly begain to pump distributing life giving warmth throughout the tiny body. The little Skipper suddenly explodes into the air flashing it colors as your flies. Then as I look around my forest I see them all as they wake from their slumber.

Image Titled “Skippers and Hydrangea 61520a”

They all go to work without any delay. The wild hydrangea has finally bloomed and it’s their task to sip the nectar and spread the pollen.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

The Little Skipper

Color Photography, wildlife

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Delaware Skipper 6220” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

I moved slowly through the mottled light on the edge of the forest. The edge of the mountain is a wet site and and the ditch is choked with a gift most misfortunate. The Japanese knotweed that was brought here in the late 1800s as an ornamental substitute for native river cane gas already grown large. It was the small speck that popped into air and flew in little circular patterns through the forest of alien reeds. This is the place where the mint used to grow. It was the native butterfly’s natural food source. But today the sweet odors different mints warmed by the sun are not found. But the little skipper is a hardy little rascal. He’ll continue his search and find his favorite meals. There’s a native hydrangea nearby that he can smell.

The little skipper never loses his happy outlook as he bounces his way just a little deeper into the shadows where the knotweed cannot grow. There’s enough hydrangea to feed the tiny butterflies for a few weeks until some of the native mint is found.

When non native species escape captivity one of biggest problems that it causes is crowding out of the native plants. Which at first glance might seem to not be a big deal until you consider that something might depend in that native plant to survive.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Click here to visithttps://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Clicking on the photo takes you tohttps://www.zazzle.com/lloydslensphotos?rf=238248269630914251

Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤