It is always a little tricky taking photos in the bright sunlight, but I like the way that this photo turned out of a Black Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes)that I encountered last Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Why do I like it? It is often really difficult for me to describe precisely why I like a particular photo, particularly when it is one of my own, which makes it almost impossible for me to assess it objectively.
I love it when viewers take the time to describe their reactions. When I posted this image in Facebook in the Nature Lovers of Virginia group, Patricia Holt made the following comment that absolutely delighted me.
“This photo is a pleasure. I love the way the lower flower is a darker hue mimicking the darker spots lower on the butterfly. The way the spots on the butterfly are narrower at the top than the bottom contrary to the flower petals. It struck me how there’s a vague sense of a mirror image but not. Definitely the light and you have captured a feeling of balance as in yin yang. So pretty!”
As is generally the case, I recommend clicking on the image to get a better look at some of the wonderful details in this image.
Have a wonderful Friday.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Excellent exciting photo. It brings put the poet in me:
Light dancing nature
Look a butterfly chandelier
In midday sunlight
I love your little poem, Suzette–it captures perfectly the essence of the image.
Beautiful and it co-ordinates with the flower. Love it.