Tiny Wildlife: 6 of My Favorite Bug Photos So Far

When I’m not photographing people, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find me somewhere outside with my camera pointed at wildlife… and sometimes that wildlife is very tiny. 🐞🦋

I’ve always loved photographing animals, birds, and the little details I find while exploring, but insect photography has made me notice an entirely different side of nature. Things we normally walk right past suddenly become fascinating when you see them through a camera lens.

The patterns in a butterfly’s wings, the tiny hairs on a fly, the shine of a ladybug’s shell, or the almost unbelievable detail in a dragonfly’s wings… there is so much going on in these little creatures.

So today, I’m sharing six of my favorite bug photographs I’ve captured so far.

1. Clipper Butterfly

There is something about photographing a butterfly straight on that completely changes the way you see it.

Instead of focusing only on the beautiful patterns of the wings, you suddenly notice its face, eyes, antennae, and even those tiny little legs holding onto the leaf.

I love the symmetry in this photograph. With its wings stretched out on either side and its face looking directly toward the camera, this little Clipper Butterfly almost looks like it was posing for me.

Definitely one of those moments where being patient with the camera paid off.

2. Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly

Dragonflies may be one of my favorite tiny subjects to photograph because their wings are incredible.

This one was perched just perfectly with its wings stretched out, allowing the sunlight to reveal all of those tiny patterns and veins.

I also love how the dark green background falls away behind it. Even though the dragonfly is small compared with the rest of the scene, your eye still goes right to it.

This is also one of those photographs that reminds me that wildlife photography doesn’t always have to mean filling the entire frame with the animal. Sometimes giving a little space around your subject tells more of the story.

3. Tiger Longwing Butterfly

The color in this photograph gets me every time. 🧡

Between the orange and black wings, the colorful flowers, and all of that green surrounding them, this was one of those scenes where there was almost too much to look at — in the best possible way.

The Tiger Longwing was the star of the show, though.

Butterflies definitely test my patience as a photographer. You can have the composition you want, the focus where you need it, and be completely ready to take the photo…and then they’re gone. 😂

That makes capturing one with its wings open like this even more rewarding.

4. Seven-Spotted Lady Beetle

Sometimes the smallest subject makes the biggest statement.

This little ladybug is still one of my favorite photographs because of how strongly that bright red shell stands out against all of the soft green surrounding it.

I love photographs like this because they’re a reminder to slow down and actually look around.

It would have been incredibly easy to walk right past something this tiny. Instead, I stopped, grabbed my camera, and suddenly this little ladybug became the entire subject of the photograph.

And I’m so glad it did. ❤️🐞

5. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Now this is a butterfly that knows how to make an entrance. 💛

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is absolutely beautiful, and I love how the yellow wings stand out against all of the soft greens in the background.

One thing I’m learning more and more through wildlife photography is how much the surroundings matter.

The butterfly is obviously the subject, but the grasses, tiny flowers, soft colors, and blurred background are what make the photograph feel like a little glimpse into its world rather than simply a picture of a butterfly.

6. Robber Fly

And then there are the creatures that become way more interesting once you photograph them up close. 😂

This robber fly is a perfect example.

From a distance, I probably wouldn’t have thought much about it. But once I photographed it and could really see the details — those huge eyes, tiny hairs covering its body, delicate wings, and long legs, I was fascinated.

It may not have the bright colors of a butterfly or ladybug, but I think that’s part of what makes this image so interesting.

Nature doesn’t have to be traditionally “pretty” to be worth photographing.

Finding Beauty in the Little Things

Photography has made me pay attention to things I probably would have overlooked before.

I’ll go outside thinking I’m looking for birds, deer, or a beautiful landscape, and somehow end up completely distracted by a tiny insect sitting on a blade of grass.

And I think that has become one of my favorite things about carrying a camera.

You never really know what you’re going to find.

Sometimes the best photograph of the day isn’t the big wildlife encounter you were hoping for, it’s the tiny red ladybug hiding in the grass or the butterfly that stays still for just long enough to let you capture it.

There is beauty everywhere when you slow down long enough to notice it. ❤️

All six of these photographs are available as prints in my Life by Jessica Lynn Photography Print Shop, along with more of my wildlife, nature, landscape, and travel photography.

And I have a feeling this little bug collection is only going to keep growing. 🐞🦋📷