Snapping Butterflies

They are nonthreatening, semicooperative for the camera, and very photogenic. I’m talking about butterflies. I’ve whiled away many an hour in a field of weeds and wildflowers taking pictures of these colorful insects.

I’m certainly not a great butterfly photographer, but I’ve learned to capture some pretty good ones, and so can you, with just a few tips.

Let me say this right off the bat: don’t forget the bug spray. It’s the first and foremost piece of equipment I have when on a butterfly mission, because I learned the hard way that the same weedy fields that attract butterflies also attract ticks and chiggers. But from April through the summer months, I can’t wait to hit the fields.

I like to wear earth-tone clothing so I won’t be easily noticed as I slowly walk through a field in search of flowering plants like butterfly weed, thistle, goldenrod, Queen Anne’s lace, and daisies. You can leave your cell phone on because butterflies can’t hear, at least not like humans hear.

Once I find a good spot, I’ll sit or stand as motionless as possible and wait for the butterflies to fly around me. It usually doesn’t take long. When a butterfly lands on a flower and goes to work drinking nectar with its proboscis, I go to work with my camera.

I use a digital SLR (single-lens reflex) camera with interchangeable lenses and macro capability. I’ve captured some decent butterfly shots with a 55- to 200-mm telephoto lens, as this gets me in tight enough and softens the background.

I keep it simple and put the camera in auto mode, but use manual focus. On clear days, I use a polarizer in case I’m crouched down low enough to have the blue sky in the background, made even bluer by the polarizer.

I take a tripod with me although, depending on the situation, I don’t always use it.

The most convenient way to capture butterfly photographs is to create your own butterfly garden. Some of our Kentucky favorites that attract butterflies are black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, marigold, aster, daylilies, lilac, and redbud.

If you take up butterfly photography, you’ll likely find it fun and even addictive, because these creatures are fairly tolerant of your presence. And when you have a quiet moment to review your photos, you just might be dazzled by the wonder and color of nature.

INSIDER TIP

• Bring the bug spray. Ticks and chiggers abound in butterfly fields.

• Binoculars are great for spotting butterflies.

• A digital SLR camera will get you nice photos.