Spotted Fritillary

The most abundant species of butterfly on my trip to Italy was the Spotted Fritillary. Quite a distinctive butterfly, it is, again, common across southern Europe, but not found in this country. On both my photographic mornings, there were a few butterflies roosting on plants by the side of the path. As I arrived early in the morning, I found one or two whilst they were still covered in early morning dew. This makes them a lot easier to photograph as they can't fly until their wings are warmed up. You still need to take care though not to disturb the butterfly.

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy   

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy


In other cases there was no dew, but the butterflies were nonetheless confiding in the cool morning air. I tried a range of shots, these first two shot against the light. The sun was low in the sky for both shots, but is slightly higher and gives a warmer light in the second. 

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

These shots are in the other direction, with more direct light on the butterfly.

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

I managed to get a range of shots over my two visits, including the more traditional shots of the butterfly, with wings open.

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

As well as some slight less convectional shots from side on.

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

I was particularly pleased with this image.

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

Finally, here is an image I posted previously - one of my favourite compositions is to go in close with a wide aperture setting on the camera, focussing on the eye of the butterfly.

Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma)Peschiera del Garda
Lake Garda, Italy

I think these butterflies are beautiful. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them.

For more shots of these butterflies, and other Spotted Fritillary images, please go to the gallery here.