Chasing the Dance: Photographing Gatekeeper butterflies
Spotting Gatekeeper butterflies
On a warm and sunny June morning, I was sitting in the lounge when I noticed flashes of black and gold dancing over the flowers in the garden. OH… Gatekeeper butterflies.. Normally found around meadow and woodland fringes, I quickly grabbed my camera and rushed outside to photograph this unexpected visitor. I spotted two or three females calmly feeding on Echinacea while a solitary male was sunning himself on some nearby leaves. Excitement bubbled inside me as I realised I had a wonderful opportunity to capture their interactions.
The plan was simple… Press and Pray…
I slowly approached the scene, hoping to get some action shots of the male and females interacting. The females were content to let me get closer, but the male, warmed by the sun, flew off as soon as I neared him. Sitting back to let him adjust to my presence, I watched as he began patrolling his territory, flying around the females. I keep capturing sequence shots, hoping for something good, but my excitement quickly turns to disappointment. Many of the shots were out of focus or only captured parts of him in the frame. Frustrated and unsure about my settings, I decided it was time for a break.
Good things come to those who wait
While savouring the beautiful day, with large and small white butterflies dancing around and the soothing sound of grasshoppers in the background, I noticed that the male wasn’t acting as I had initially assumed. Instead of hovering over the females to mate, he seemed to be dive-bombing them with a fierce determination. Armed with this new understanding, I readied myself for the action once again, capturing a sequence that displayed his aggressive antics perfectly.
Eventually, the male began to tire and took breaks between his flights, providing me a chance to get some more serene shots. If I could give one piece of advice to fellow photographers, it would be that patience is key. After a day filled with the excitement of watching the females being harassed, I finally captured a lovely side-by-side shot of the male resting next to one of the females. Who knows? It could make a beautiful comparison for a web page or a memorable keepsake.
For more stories, please follow the link: Behind the Lens
