We’re seeing many friends and soon to be friends posting images of Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies. I enjoy those pictures, and confession? I usually am examining, do they, have they captured the mesmerizing color that Pipevine may deliver?

Here’s my entry in the Pipevine Color Board. When this Pipevine flew in and did what I so wanted it to do, head straight to the Bergamot in abundant bloom in Doak Field (Raccoon Creek State Park, Hookstown, Pennsylvania) I was ready. Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies hover over the flowers they take nectar from, with their wings beating furiously. It’s difficult, very, to score an image with super terrific wing color. Flew that I’ve seen ever capture striking blues, corals, whites, black.

The road to success in getting exceptional Pipevine color? First you need luck, for your butterfly must be fresh and spectacularly tinted. Then, Ma’am, with sunlight at your back, and morning sunlight (not much later than 10:00 AM, shoot away, not 5 exposures, but . . . say, 50.

Did this image achieve Pipevine Color Amazingness? You tell me!

Jeff