I took these a few years ago at the Melbourne Zoo's **Butterfly house**...I have *just* gotten around to scanning them in and thought I would share them with you...the only thing I have done with these images is remove the dust and scratches...some unsharp mask on the one above, but no extra digital jiggery-pokery otherwise. I am interested to hear your ideas about the phenomenon in Image No. 3...how the hell did I get that? :-)>

Another one I thought was rather pretty...

***This*** is the one I am intrigued by...I'm pretty sure I didn't use a flash that day, perhaps I'm mistaken (The old brain aint what it used to be) but the shadow in image 2 leads me to believe I was going with natural lighting (which is my preference when feasable) I was hoping someone could explain how this happened? I only noticed it today when I was browsing through the old photos from that day...so much for my powers of observation! :-)>

My favourite is the second, I dont know whats going on with number 3! Im jealous now cuz I spent an hour yesterday chasing elusive butterflies that never landed! I MIGHT have got 2 shots if Im luck lol =) Gorgeous images, glad u shared! Take Care, Love Cat xXxXx

Thanks Cat, it must have something to do with shutter speed vs "beat of butterfly-wing" speed I guess.... :-)>

...when you get really excited about a nice shot your eyes start to glow? A stranger question is: "Where is your shadow?"

Oh, butterflies are so beautiful. I wish we had some more in the garden....we only see a few, and they're too fast to shoot. Great shots, thanks for sharing =)

PC, The direct light in #2 is the same as in #3, so we can forget about the possibility of a phlash. Id say you were leaning over the little winged rascal from the side, but holding your camera vertically. That way, the shot comes out looking normal, but without your shadow (even though it looks like it should be there). Thats my story and Im sticking to it! Love that first shot!

Lovely images, I really like the second one too. I think Marshall's idea makes sense, I have done similar things myself.

Nice shots!! I agree with Phrankpower, its def. not flash in the 3rd shot. Butterfly wings have a certain "Phosphoresence" that would have "kicked back" into the camera!! Things our old enemy, natural light (IMHO). Cheers.

beautiful photos my fave is #2

Thanks for your replies people...The second one is my favoutite too. Re: No. 3 ~ what about the shadow? Look where the wings are...and look at the shape of the shadow... ? :-)>

Thanks Fred, but....The sillhouette of the wings in the shadow? The wings of the butterfly are well on the downbeat in the capture, but look at the sillhouette!...has No-one seen it?...am I hallucinating? LOL... :-)>

LOL!!! OK, looks like I'm going to have to draw a picture... **this** is what I'm talking about! :-)>

huh? I see your drawing... Are you feeling OK? ...its, very nice.

PC, the wings may look down, but I think they are actually up, and match the shadow. Look at your DOF. The leaf is in focus, and the lower part of the wings is in focus, but the upper part of the wings is not in focus, because they are not down there, but are up in the air. I think the angle just makes it look strange, sort of.

There's not much I can add to this conversation, so I'll just keep quiet and stare at the pritty flutterby. I say as I crack my neck and realise that they are comming out of the screen. Damn those flashbacks... -Gabe-

LMAO... I'd say, it's #5 on Alpha's list. pass the doochie to the left hand side... Great flutterby shots, Cam! :-) (*

Well, it was gooood stuff! ;-)> thanks everyone, Marshall & Alpha's explanation makes the most sense to me, I just wasn't looking at it laterally enough...Edward De Bono would be shaking his head at me right now... :-)>