Searching for good photographic subjects on Big Walker Mountain, I happened upon a group of these large, blue and black butterflies. My friend James Shelton, who is quite the amateur entomologist, tells me this butterfly is a Pipe Vine Swallowtail.
Dragonfly on Bark
This dragonfly stopped to rest on the bark of a tree. I was already set up, taking photos of the landscape, so I was able to photograph it before it resumed flight.
Zabulon Skipper
While attempting to photograph some bumble bees at work I noticed this little skipper flitting among the wild flowers. I’m not certain I’ve identified it correctly but I believe it is a Zabulon Skipper.
Red Admiral
A Red Admiral butterfly rests among the vegetation at Deep Run Park in Henrico County, VA.
Robber Fly
This robber fly was lying in wait on a low branch in my yard. Luckily I had my camera and tripod when I spotted it. You can click on the picture to see a larger version of the image.
Butterfly At Work
During a recent visit to the Big Walker Mountain Lookout tower, near Wytheville, VA, I noticed large blue and black winged butterflies busily gathering nectar from nearby flowers. I had my camera on a slow ISO setting and the evening light was beginning to fade. The resulting image of a blurred butterfly seemed appropriate to me since they seemed to never stop moving.
Wildflower and Native Bee
A patch of wild daisies attracted this small, native bee.
Laying in Wait
Having woven an almost perfectly symmetrical web, the spider waits, suspended above flowering herb, for its next meal to arrive.
Dragonfly in Dry Grass
“Don’t walk through that tall grass,” my Uncle warned. “It’s full of chiggers.” I decided to go anyway; there were some lovely wildflowers I wanted to shoot and I’ve survived worse than a few chigger bites. Two weeks later my ankles finally stopped itching. The wildflower shots were okay but this dragonfly made the itching worth it. If I didn’t know better I would sweat it’s actually smiling.
Pollination of the Redbud
