Tipping point

Early April is the time of the cuckoo flower, Cardamine pratensis. Macrophotographers get real excited when their pink petals pop up. And there is a good reason for that: Pratensis happens to be the host plant for one of the Netherlands’ most striking butterflies: the orange tip, or Anthocharis cardamines.

The orange tip distinguishes itself from other whites by its brilliant markings, as well as the neon-orange upper wing tips on the males. Orange is our national colour, which, with its striking looks, makes this butterfly the rightful ‘prime target’ for insect enthusiasts. I failed to capture them last year, which made the urge to look for them now irresistible.

It didn’t take long to get my first, as pratensis seems to be everywhere in my local park! After I found my first male cardamines on top of its host plant, I got the idea for a challenge. I wanted to create a diverse gallery of the species under different lighting conditions and frames. Please find the results below! *

*No butterflies were moved for better positions, all natural light

A butterfly perched on a white flower with multiple small buds, backlit by a circular sunset or bright light in the background.
Close-up of a butterfly perched on a flower stem with purple buds, featuring intricate black, white, orange, and green wing patterns, with a blurred background.
Close-up of a black and white patterned feather.
A close-up of a butterfly perched on a cluster of small pink and white flowers with a green blurred background.
Close-up of a butterfly wing showing orange, white, and black patterns against a black background.
A butterfly with white wings decorated with yellow and black markings resting on a pink and white flower in a natural outdoor setting.
A close-up of a butterfly resting on a green blade of grass, with a blurred green background.
Silhouette of a bee on a flower against a glowing light background.
Close-up of a butterfly with yellow, black, and white markings on its wings, perched on a pink flower with green buds, against a blurred green background.
A butterfly with white, black, and orange markings resting on a cluster of small, pale purple and white flowers against a blurred yellow and green background.