Mattie’s Bush

Mattie’s Bush

There is a Lantana bush in my front yard I call “Mattie’s Bush,” because my friend and wildlife photographer Mattie Bryant would spend hours photographing it from every angle.

This year because of all the rain we have had this summer Mattie’s bush is huge.  It almost spans the width of my side yard, and like every summer, it’s covered in butterflies and other nectar loving bugs.  This morning I decided to go out and take a few pictures.

There must be thousands, or perhaps over a million tiny blooms, each cluster of blooms can be as small as your thumb.

Lantana Bush Bloom Cluster

Lantana Bush Bloom Clusters In The Sun

The most predominate of the butterflies are the orange ones, I have no idea what they are actually called.

Orange Butterfly

Orange Butterfly Two

There are so many in fact, it’s almost impossible to make a photograph without one in it.

Orange Butterfly Three

Orange Butterfly Four

At least they are pretty.

Orange Butterfly Five

Orange Butterfly Six

Orange Butterfly Seven

They are not alone on the bush, there are the ones I call “Orange Skippers.”  A sort of smaller, quicker version of the orange ones, perhaps they are cousins or something.  These guys have short wings, and they are quick!  I was lucky to catch one in a shot.

“Orange Skipper”

Easier to shoot is the “Bark Butterfly,” it’s mostly likely a moth, but I like to think of it as a butterfly.  Sitting still, it almost looks like the bark on a tree, it’s an interesting little bug.

Bark Butterfly

Bark Butterfly Two

What’s interesting is the gold patch on the wings, it shimmers in the sunlight.

Bark Butterfly Three

Impossible to catch sitting still is the “Flying Fuzzy.”  I don’t have any idea what this is at all, it’s fuzzy, flies like a humming bird, and is about half the size.

“Flying Fuzzy”

Always on the move.

The iridescent bands of blue are interesting.

Wings a blur, and little hints of blue.

I had a great time this morning photographing “Mattie’s Bush,” perhaps I’ll do it again soon.

T.