Spicebush and cardinal

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Spicebush and cardinal

July 31, 2017 by Mike Powell

Cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) are now in bloom at Huntley Meadows Park. In addition to being beautiful, these vivid red flowers attract butterflies, like this Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus) that I spotted this past weekend at the park.

Posted in Butterflies, Flowers, Nature, Photography, Summer | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, cardinal flower, Huntley Meadows Park, Lobelia cardinalis, Papilio troilus, Spicebush Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly, Tamron 150-600mm | 7 Comments

7 Responses

on July 31, 2017 at 7:05 am | Reply Leanne Cole

Great colours and capture here Mike.
- on July 31, 2017 at 9:23 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Leanne. As you know, I love to chase after insects of all sorts and they tend to occupy me in the summer more than birds.
on July 31, 2017 at 8:16 am | Reply Dan Antion

Great photo, Mike. The focus really calls attention to the butterfly!
- on July 31, 2017 at 9:22 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. The cardinal flower kind of stuck out from the green vegetation, so when the butterfly flew to it, I was able to get some separation, because the background was so far away.
on July 31, 2017 at 3:22 pm | Reply shirkitvictoria

What a stunning contrast with the red an black against the natural green!
- on July 31, 2017 at 9:20 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. The butterfly was moving, so I had a little trouble keeping it in focus, but it worked out well. Generally I like to try to isolate the subject and selective focus is one way to do so.
on February 27, 2018 at 9:05 am | Reply blhphotoblog

Love this image.