I was looking into the bright sun when I spotted this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) feeding on a nearby flower. Normally that is not an ideal situation for photography and often renders the subject as a silhouette. However, I adjusted my camera settings and was able to capture the translucency of the butterfly’s wings and the shape and color of the vegetation showing through from behind the wings.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
The best gifts are the ones you least expect.
It is in surprising great condition, too!
I noted that too, Molly, and wonder if it was relatively newly emerged. A lot of the butterflies are looking pretty tattered by this time of the year.
Beautiful backlit color.
Thanks, Michael. I suspect that you know quite a bit about dealing with backlit subjects. Backlighting is really only a problem when you try to let your camera control the exposure. Otherwise it’s fun to let the light shine through, as it did her, or provide rim lighting for more opaque subjects, especially those with hair or fur.
I most often shoot aperture preferred and use the exposure compensation dial liberally.
I’m glad you let the light shine through!! So beautiful!! 👍
Lovely, it’s like a stained glass window!
I love seeing the silhouette through the wing! I’ve mentioned you in my latest post so thought I’d better own up. https://exploringcolour.wordpress.com/2019/09/17/upon-my-word/ Cheers, Liz
That’s such a pretty photo, Mike.
This is beautiful with the way the light shines!
Nice Mike! Great Image!
Beautiful photo!