Another beautiful and large butterfly in Malaysia. It's wings are simply huge when they flap by. They're relatively common as long as you don't mind being perched motionless in the middle of a flower bed and waiting for one to land in front of the lens. They are more properly called a Ricepaper butterfly, but most locals know it as a Tree Nymph.

vertical blade-like mounds of sandstone in eastern Utah

you'd probably believe me if i said this was a tentacle from some deep-sea creature, but it is actually a closeup shot of a common flower stigma (the tiny little stem sticking out of the center and captures pollen from the stamen). the stigma of a red gladiolus is only 0.025 inches in diameter (thickness of 2 playing cards) and this photo captures the very tip that protrudes farthest outside the bloom. (check out our "Balanced Gems" shot to see the neighboring anther part of the same flower).

northern Kauai

Although barely blue on their top-side when the light reflects just right, I saw these "Blue & White Longwings" in the light jungle regions just outside of Iquitos Perú (north-eastern Perú). Their lengthy wings flap rather slowly and gracefully (less fluttery than typical-proportioned butterflies), and they almost appearing to be flying in slow-motion and not fast enough to stay in the air.

Indiana wetlands

Foxglove stalk full of bell-shaped blooms

from time to time, i see a shot that just shouts "tropical" and i capture the moment just for that reason.