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photobitz
13th of December 2006 (Wed), 09:38
Not a true macro because of the size of the thing (about 15cm across). A common butterfly in Eastern Australia. This one is a female. They are a fairly tame sort and I was almost able to coax this one onto a finger.

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LordV
13th of December 2006 (Wed), 09:45
Excellent shot- beautiful butterfly
Brian V.
photobitz
13th of December 2006 (Wed), 09:59
Thanks Brian. I was trying to get some from underneath the wings, because they are a lot more colourful. Unfortunately they don't like to sit with their wings up... :(
dpastern
14th of December 2006 (Thu), 04:59
Excellent shot- beautiful butterfly
Brian V.

Couldn't agree more with this comment. Wow. I saw a largish butterfuly today, but like most of them, they simply do not stay still, at least around me.

Dave
photobitz
14th of December 2006 (Thu), 07:18
These guys are quite heavily built which I guess means they aren't as agile. Definitely not as flighty as something like a Wanderer. Still seem pretty tame nonetheless.

There was a really nice butterfly I saw on our last bush walk, but it was very shy. Sky blue on top with black and green underneath. Quite attractive.
Canonada
14th of December 2006 (Thu), 08:12
Very nice Dan.

Joe
jpvaz
14th of December 2006 (Thu), 11:37
Beautiful butterfly, i've never seen one like that before (probably because i'm in Europe... not Australia ;) )!! Exelent photo Dan!! :)
bandit 1
14th of December 2006 (Thu), 12:44
Hiya Dan,
Great shot, I remember seeing a lot of these when I was in Queensland a few years back, are they also known locally as Lemon or a Citrus Butterfly.
Cheers for now
Mark
Sugarman
14th of December 2006 (Thu), 12:57
Beautiful colors. I miss springtime already!
AeroSmith
14th of December 2006 (Thu), 17:31
Wonderful colors....very nice shot.
photobitz
15th of December 2006 (Fri), 00:13
Hiya Dan,
Great shot, I remember seeing a lot of these when I was in Queensland a few years back, are they also known locally as Lemon or a Citrus Butterfly.
Cheers for now
Mark

Yeah probably... they lay their eggs on citrus trees. The caterpillars feed on the new shoots (much to the tree growers displeasure). Interestingly the caterpillars have a few defense mechanisms...

a) they look like bird droppings
b) they have bright red antennae that they thash round to look dangerous
c) eating the citrus leaves enables them to produce a foul smelling (and probably foul tasting) liquid which they excrete when threatened - kinda like stink bugs.
BigAl-SA
15th of December 2006 (Fri), 00:28
Really pretty butterfly Dan! Well done!
photobitz
15th of December 2006 (Fri), 07:03
Well, thanks everyone for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed :)
Lester Wareham
16th of December 2006 (Sat), 01:47
Lovely shot.