I don't have the patience, and I don't have the reflexes. I also have an iPhone which is cyberbursting with photos - meaning that, at the most inappropriate times, I run out of space.
Like today, at the community garden we garden at in Binghamton, New York. Spouse was planting, and I was picking beans. We ended our chores, and spouse was cutting some zinnias for our dinner table, when along fluttered this butterfly. I had my iPhone on me, whipped it out - and no room for a picture.
Deletedeletedelete. Still no room.
Reboot. while my spouse smiled and shook his head (after 42 years of marriage, he knows better than to say anything.)
The butterfly, in the meantime, fluttered all around the zinnia patch, stopping here and there to feed, waiting for my phone to reboot.
Finally it had room, and I got the first picture before I ran out of room again. Deletedeletedelete, and I got one more before she flew off (I THINK it was a she-see below.) Thank you, my patient friend. At least I got a picture of one wing.
I only have one question. What kind of butterfly was it? It looked like a yellow monarch, sort of.
You see, I know next to nothing about butterflies. As far as I can tell, after some research, it may be an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
In size, I would say it is close to the size of a monarch, one of the few butterflies I do know. And, from my memories of the tail area, I don't think it had the color spots of a male.
If you can tell me anything more about my not-elusive butterfly, I'd love to hear from you.
I wanted to finish by sharing a recipe from the owner's blog - she, incidentally, is a fantastic cook, and, since she follows a gulten free diet, she can easy accommodate gluten free guests.
I just wish she could teach me wildlife photography.
LOL! I have that SAME problem with space on my phone. :-) At least the butterfly stayed around for one more shot. I don't know the name of the species, sorry, but swallowtail matches the shape of the left wing (right wing must've taken some damage somewhere along the line.)
ReplyDeletePretty zinnias!!!
I'm happy to report no damage to the right wing; it was just a bad angle (I was trying to shoot before it flew away to who knows where).
DeleteMy iPhone has the same ailment.
ReplyDeleteMy next phone (mine is four years old) will have more memory!
DeleteYes, you're right. It is definitely an eastern tiger swallowtail. Its scientific name is papilio glaucus. It is very adaptable and can be found anywhere... in the country, in the suburbs, and in the city. It is one of the most common butterflies in the eastern half of the United States, anywhere where deciduous forests can be found. There are plenty of eastern tiger swallowtails around and the species is not considered to be threatened.
ReplyDeleteI knew you would come through, Alice. Thank you!
DeleteI hope all those photos you deleted were backed up. Have you thought about getting a flash drive for your phone?
ReplyDeleteI know what how it feels when there is no space and one is witnessing a blessed sight. I find that extremely frustrating! I am enjoying my way around your blog - it is well paced out like a stroll around the woods.
ReplyDeleteI love butterflies, plants and nature but I can hardly take nice pictures. I just savour them with my eyes. Also I have no knowledge of the names. Guess being the city-bred is the reason. The butterfly in the second picture looks magnificent.
ReplyDeleteCongrats for your persistence to snag a picture of the butterfly! Both the butterfly and the flower are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI take photos on my phone and share them to my email. That way I can delete them after sharing on Instagram. That way I always have room on my phone for more pictures. Plus, still have the originals.
ReplyDeleteMobiles and Memory always a problem.I try to transfer the extra items to google drive now and then.Even then,the memory problem keeps cropping up
ReplyDelete