Butterflies and Flowers after the Rain at Kirstenbosch

A Morning of Butterflies and Flowers at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training at Kirstenbosch

'Straight Ahead' - Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) Butterfly Kirstenbosch Garden

Saturday Morning at Kirstenbosch: Butterflies and Flowers after the Rain

We arrived at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden for a private training session Saturday morning just before 08:00 - 2 December 2023. With great anticipation we waited for more than an hour for the rain to pass. It was indeed worth the wait – the light was slightly diffused and just right, imho.

Currently there are some spectacular contrasting colours amongst the flowers throughout the garden.

I spent some quality time with a private client going through requirements and settings for using a Canon EOS DSLR with a 'long' zoom lens for close-up butterfly and flower photography.

It was a morning thoroughly enjoyed and I am looking forward to our next session at Kirstenbosch Garden.

The butterflies would have been sharper allround if I used slightly smaller apertures, but I compensated the diffused light by using the biggest aperture available at 4oomm - f/5.6.

My Canon Camera / Lens used during the morning:

• Canon EOS 70D
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5 - f/5.6L IS II USM Lens
• Aperture Priority Mode: 400mm @ f/5.6 - f/8
• Auto- ISO (IS0 100 - 400)
• Shutter Speed (Between 1/500s - 1/640s)
  
• Handheld

Post-Processing: Adobe Lightroom Classic Ver. 12  

Editing / Post-Processing Intel Hardware Used
Acer Aspire 3, an Intel 10th Generation i3 CPU Notebook with Intel Ultra-High Definition (UHD) GPU / Microsoft Windows 11 / 8GB DDR4 Dual-Channel RAM (memory) / SSD Hard drive.

Recommended Editing / Post-Processing Intel Hardware (JPG / RAW Images)
Recommended Editing Intel Hardware Using Lightroom >>

Kirstenbosch photography training also offered as Photography Training Gift Vouchers

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Painted Lady Butterflies at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

“Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well.” - Naya Rivera

Painted Lady Butterfly Kirstenbosch Garden

Painted Lady Butterfly Kirstenbosch Garden

Cabbage White Butterfly Kirstenbosch Garden

More About The Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui)

"The Vanessa cardui butterfly, commonly known as the Painted Lady, is a widespread and well-known butterfly species.

Here are some key characteristics and information about Vanessa cardui:

Distribution

• The Painted Lady is one of the most widely distributed butterfly species in the world. It can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
• They are known for their migratory behavior and can cover long distances during their annual migrations.

Appearance

• The upper side of the wings has a striking and colorful pattern, with orange, black, white, and brown markings. The colors are vibrant and can vary slightly among individuals.
• The wingspan of Vanessa cardui ranges from 2 to 2.9 inches (5 to 7.5 cm).

Life Cycle

• The life cycle of the Painted Lady consists of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly.
• The caterpillars are spiny and have a dark coloration with yellowish spots. They feed on a variety of host plants.

Habitat

• Painted Ladies can be found in a wide range of habitats, including gardens, meadows, fields, and open areas.
• They are adaptable and can thrive in different environments, from urban to rural areas.

Migratory Behavior

• Vanessa cardui is known for its remarkable migratory behavior. In some regions, they undertake long-distance migrations, similar to the monarch butterfly.
• During migration, they may cover thousands of miles, flying from one region to another in search of suitable breeding and feeding grounds.

Nectar Sources

• Adult Painted Ladies feed on the nectar of various flowering plants. They have a preference for a wide range of flowers, making them generalist feeders.

Economic Importance

• The Painted Lady is considered beneficial in agriculture as its larvae feed on certain weed species, helping to control their growth.
• They also play a role in pollination as they visit flowers for nectar.

Seasonality

• Depending on the region, Painted Ladies may be present year-round in milder climates, while in colder areas, they are more commonly seen during the warmer months.

Observing the Painted Lady butterfly is a delightful experience for many nature enthusiasts, and its widespread distribution and migratory habits make it a fascinating species to study." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

Plants / Flowers at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

“Flowers are the Romeos and the Juliets of the nature!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan

“Wildflowers can't be controlled, and neither can the girl with a soul boundless as the sky, and a spirit as free and wild as the ocean.”― Melody Lee

Flowers after the Rain at Kirstenbosch Garden

Flowers with Rain Drops Kirstenbosch Garden

Red Flowers at Kirstenbosch Garden

Budding Flower after the Rain at Kirstenbosch Garden

Blooming White Flowers after the Rain at Kirstenbosch

Wildflowers after the Rain at Kirstenbosch

Yellow Flower after the Rain at Kirstenbosch Garden

Flower Species at Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town

"Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, South Africa, is renowned for its diverse and unique flora. The garden showcases a wide variety of indigenous South African plant species, including many beautiful flowers. Some common and notable flower species that are often found in Kirstenbosch:

Protea Species

• Kirstenbosch is home to various Protea species, such as the King Protea (Protea cynaroides), South Africa's national flower.

Erica Species

• The Cape Floristic Region, where Kirstenbosch is situated, is rich in Erica species, commonly known as heaths or fynbos.

Watsonia

• These tall and striking flowering plants belong to the iris family and produce spikes of tubular flowers.

Aloe Species

• Various Aloe species, such as Aloe ferox, are often found in Kirstenbosch. These succulent plants are known for their medicinal properties.

Restio Species

• Restios are grass-like plants that are a prominent feature of South African fynbos vegetation.

Bulbs

• Kirstenbosch is home to a variety of bulbous plants, including species like Gladiolus and Ixia, which produce colorful and distinctive flowers.

Disa Orchids

• Indigenous orchids, like the vibrant Disa uniflora (Pride of Table Mountain), can be found in the garden.

Cycad Species

• Kirstenbosch also features a collection of cycads, ancient plants with cone-like structures.

Clivia miniata

• This popular flowering plant native to South Africa produces clusters of orange flowers and is often cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Buchu (Agathosma)

• Some aromatic species of Buchu, used in traditional medicine, are found in the Kirstenbosch gardens.

Keep in mind that the diversity of plants in Kirstenbosch is extensive, and the garden is designed to showcase the unique and varied flora of the Cape region. The specific species you encounter may vary depending on the season and the specific areas within the garden you explore. For the most up-to-date and detailed information, consider checking with the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden or referring to their official website or publications." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

Kirstenbosch Garden Image / Information on the Vernon Chalmers Photography Website: 

Glorious Morning at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View

Vernon Chalmers 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' View

From Darkness into Light... Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Butterflies and Sunbird at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Images © Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Map & Directions Kirstenbosch Google Map

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Website

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town