The other day I noticed an odd piece of black "trash" in our driveway; when I walked over to pick it up, I realized it was a beautiful–but very dead–black swallowtail butterfly. Carefully, I picked her up, a) to take a closer look (butterflies, in an instant, render me a jubilant child), and b) to save it for my youngest to see when he got home.
The only thing missing were her antennae. The iridescent blue on her back wing reminded me of Cover Girl icy blue eyeshadow, circa 1979, weird stream-of-consciousness thinking, even for me.
Interestingly, I don’t care for paintings or drawings of butterflies; I can’t stand them in home décor, but the real thing? I’m mesmerized. In spite of my initial delight, I was moved to sadness that she couldn’t fly away just as I was about to catch her.
El Morro is home to these big guns. Their rustic appearance is in keeping with this centuries-old fort in Old San Juan. A "must-see" when visiting Puerto Rico, El Morro is a tourist’s, historian’s and photographer’s dream.
Wondering what in THE world these two things have in common?
It’s time for another Anna Carson Photography "Project"–the common denominator is "black". Visit Anna for more details, then post away!
Wow! I love the shots of those cannons!
Terrific posts for the project black. that is such a beautiful butterfly. So sad about his demise. I’ve been to El Morro. Its a fascinating place and a photographers paradise.
lovely butterfly shots
Such a beautiful butterfly! I’m with you…I prefer the real thing. Funny…I was torn between a butterfly shot (you can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fondofelves/202236044/) or the one I went with.
Love the blue sky in the cannon shots 🙂
Both sets of photos tell a good story. Great photos.
There is nothing more sad than vibrant beauty stilled.
And what a contrast between delicate beauty and guns of war — but that is life,for most of us, is it not lived somewhere between those two extremes?
What a distinct and very creative way to approach the project – ethereal beauty contrasted with decaying death and destruction.
I like it.
PS Isn’t the view from El Morro something else? We stopped there for a day on the way to the British Virgin Islands years ago.
a beautiful, beautiful creature
I can tell from the photo how gently you’re holding her
Love the cannon!
Gorgeous butterfly. It looks so perfect. I wonder what killed it?
Great black post, Robin! Glad to see you again at Project Black! 🙂
Love the butterfly and the cannons. One of those – or something like it – flew by my front window a week or so back but much too quickly for me and my camera. I keep hoping for a return visit. They are such amazing creatures.
absolutely stunning creature…
great post.
The butterfly is beautiful, there were so many around the villa where we stayed in Portugal and I spent ages trying to get some good photos (will get around to posting them eventually)!
Love these pics!!!
I love butterflies!
It’s funny I even had one colored like this I started to post.
Love the canon shot – great view!
I’ve never seen one of those butterflies before…living or dead. It’s a beauty for sure. The colored spots against the black are stunning.
You seem to be managing quite well with “only” a point and shoot. But you know, they say good photographers have more than one camera body. You’re obviously a good photographer so you’re more than justified running out and getting a “backup.”
I adore butterflies and butterfly photos. Even “life challenged” it’s beautiful.
I’m curious: did you examine it closely? I took a photo of a butterfly a couple of months ago, and I could really SEE that it had been a caterpillar from its “torso,” if that makes sense… 🙂
Whoa! that butterfly is amazing. Love the setting that the guns are in. Beautiful…
Great black post. I love the butterfly shots!
Wow… the butterfly… too sad it died. The cannons are so cool, too!
That is a beautiful butterfly…I’d love to see one like that in person….the way their delicate wings glow in the sun is just amazing. And what a juxtaposition you created, from delicate wings to roughly fashioned iron cannons.
I love the butterfly shots! Isn’t it funny how things turn up like this. Almost perfect and you have to wonder what happened to it.
I think butterflies just fall out of the sky sometimes, their life over…for they don’t seem to be damaged when found. This one’s a beauty!
That is beautiful… Butterflies are hard to photograph, you did such a great job!
Uh and oh! Sad that the Black Swallowtail’s dead but still a beauty, though! And the guns? True black beasts,
Cheers, Klaus
Awww! I am also saddened by these photos.
I have to say I was really blown away by San Juan on my most recent Puerto Rico holiday. i didn’t get to explore the nature too much, but I will next tie I’m there in June. Nice site 🙂