Milbert's Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti ) is one of the best butterflies for photography. It is large and boldly colored making it possible to capture a useful image from a little further away than the more common, but smaller subjects. I captured this photo walking down the road from Red Top lookout. It is one of the best roads for seeing many different species of butterflies.
Their friendly habit of feeding along road and trail edges brings them into your path. When they land, they will often present themselves open wing. Mud and water is a attractant and they will calmly sip mud for the minerals. This butterfly, alighting on a rock along a trickling water path is typical and it is possible to calmly snap pictures, edging closer and closer.
Butterfly photography is a discipline requiring immense patience. Bountiful flowering plants, mud or water and low wind are key.
Sunshine to make the colors pop is a bonus.
