Does the pressure of confinement/isolation/social distancing weigh you down? I know that I definitely feel that way at times. What I found on Friday morning, though, was that I felt totally free and uninhibited when I was chasing after this Zebra Swallowtail butterfly (Protographium marcellus). From a distance I must have looked like a madman as I ran back and forth and in circles trying to stay close to this butterfly.
It was more than just hoping and passively waiting—I put all of my energy into my childlike desire to to get a closer look at this beautiful butterfly. Maybe one of the secrets to handling the stresses inherent in today’s crises is to seek pleasure in simple joyful activities, like chasing a butterfly.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Very Nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing your images!
Why is the butterfly called a “butterfly”? That would be a great homework assignment for all the kids being schooled at home.
It is a cool question and it would in fact be a nice exercise. In the days of Google, though, it is a relatively easy exercise for a child to find an answer, like this one https://www.kidsbutterfly.org/faq/general/8. The bottom line is that nobody really knows for sure why we call it a butterfly. It is a little easier to explain the word papillon in French, since it is close to the Latin papilio.
For me the best reason for the name is it is after ‘butter coloured fly’. Here in the UK one of the first species seen is the year is the Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) which is pale yellow.
That is as good an explanation as I have heard. Thanks.
Brilliant shot.
I took up photography when I had to take early retirement due to severe chronic pain and ill-health and it was photography that probably saved my life. If I hadn’t had that distraction and the (eventual) extra exercise I don’t think I’d be here 10 years later.
Think of the joy you gave other people feeling the same way…a mad man running around in circles 😂😂. Nice captures, much harder than birds in flight.
This enforced slowdown is a great opportunity for us to remember the joy of the simple things. Makes the whole thing feel a lot less enforced, when we do. Beautiful butterfly. Or, as I like to say, flutterby.
Thanks, Michael. I think “flutterby” works wonderfully–I might have to adopt your practice.
*Replying to ‘Mike the Madman’ and Michael S* : the butterfly is stunning! I like your perspective about ‘opportunity’ Michael. We’ve been out walking local streets every fine day of lockdown, the lack of traffic presents this opportunity to explore and exercise using local roads that’d usually be too busy with heavy traffic (big trucks and farm vehicles). It’s great to see a few families out too – parents and kids cycling together on the quiet streets.
We see the same thing in California. It’s interesting walking down the middle of a residential street and not worrying too much. It’s not that there’s no traffic at all – people are going for groceries – but not much traffic.
This arvo it’s been announced we’ll go down to Level 3 on Tues morn next week, to be reviewed again after two weeks. It’ll still be quite restrictive but even a little loosening will be encouraging.. yay!
We shall see… NZ started earlier in its infection cycle and has more stringent rules, so in your case, starting to ease off now may work. Not so sure about the US of A.
I doubt the Contact Tracing over there would be developed enough yet to support easing off although I don’t know California’s capability. Hope things improve for you in the not-too-distant future!
Right now it’s the testing. Regardless of what that individual in Washington might say, the states don’t have enough testing capability.
Ah! Just after reading your reply I accidentally saw something relevant to this on the Washington Post site. Pence was saying how testing could vastly increase overnight if States would only make more labs available but this eloquent lady responded saying, sure they could if only they could get enough swabs and other necessary supplies needed to do the job!
From what I have read, there is a lot of work being done on developing and marketing new and better tests. However, there seems to be a huge shortage of testing materials at present, which, in my view, is one of the key reasons why it is premature to talk of reopening the country.
Swabs and reagents. Some states have enough swabs but nobody has enough reagents.
I forwarded this to Benjamin just a bit ago for his enjoyment later today. The reason that I sent it off to Benjamin is most likely obvious to you.The magnificent enlarged photo is the perfect place to satisfy his quest for the details. However, it is Michael Scandling’s comment that prompts my expanded comment. During the summer following Benjamin’s birth I was birthday gifted with a “Flutterby Petite Tutti Frutti Pink Butterfly Bush” that bloomed that same year. It is a dwarf shrub that blooms from summer into late fall. Also an easily maintained shrub that does not produce seeds therefore does not become invasive as the regular sized butterfly bushes tend to do. The lovely fragrant flowers attract all sorts of pollinators which made it a favorite of Benjamin and myself. And that is how and why Benjamin began calling butterflies “flutterbys” and I did too! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
That plant has the most fantastic name – “Flutterby Petite Tutti Frutti Pink Butterfly Bush” Awesome!
Just checked that plant out. It is available here in the UK (when garden centres are allowed to re-open) will make a great container plant for the patio.
That is so much fun to hear. I love the name of the bush–you absolutely need to share a photo of it when it blooms.
The world would be a much poorer place without butterflies, in my opinion. How can one watch them without feeling a sense of abandonment from stress and delight in fanciful flight? Thanks for this–your zebra is magnificent.
Thanks, Gary. You and I think alike when it comes to butterflies. I know that as a child I was absolutely enchanted when I learned about the metamorphosis that butterflies undergo as they are transformed from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Ever since that time I have looked upon them as magical. I think part of my attachment to dragonflies is the even more amazing change that they undergo from a water-dwelling nymph with gills to an an air-breathing aerial acrobat.
The shot is stunning with that touch of ruby red but we really need a video of you skipping and jumping like a free falling child to give a smile to our day now!!!
Thanks for the laugh, Damien. I am pretty sure that nobody was around to film me, but these days everyone has the capability with their phones, so you never know. I was thinking about the idea of personal embarrassment last night and realized that as I have gotten older I have started to care less about how others perceive me. Why do adults have to be serious and dignified?
Whatever it takes to lighten up the day and the mood! Beautiful capture Mike.
Thanks, Judy.
Totally agree Mike. Chase the butterflies, do what feels good, be adventurous and kid like. It helps keep us joyful, it helps reduce stress, it passes the time in a fun way. We need magical yet simple times to balance out the anxiety.