Earthbound Iridescence
Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly
Weaverville, NC - Western North Carolina
At first, its wings were closed.
Resting low against the dark earth beside a small stream in Weaverville, North Carolina, this Pipevine Swallowtail revealed only small flashes of blue and orange.
That quiet moment became The Other Side of Blue, the photograph taken just before everything changed.
As I watched, the butterfly slowly opened its wings.
Suddenly, the subtle hints of color became an extraordinary wash of iridescent blue.
Turquoise shifted toward sapphire and nearly black as the mountain light moved across its wings.
The color seemed to change with every slight movement, revealing something far more brilliant than its closed wings had suggested.
The butterfly was puddling, drawing moisture rich in minerals and salts from the damp soil. It was an ordinary and necessary behavior, but witnessing it felt anything but ordinary.
As photographers, it is easy to chase sweeping landscapes and dramatic sunsets. But some of nature’s most remarkable moments happen only a few feet from where we are standing if we can remain still long enough for the moment to reveal itself.
Earthbound Iridescence is that reveal.
Behind the Lens
Location: Western North Carolina - Weaverville, NC
Collection: Among the Wild
Captured: Summer 2026
Camera: Sony a7 IV
Focal Length: EF70-200mm • f/2.8 GM OSS
Settings: 200 mm • f/5.0 • 1/200 sec • ISO 12800
Earthbound Iridescence is part of the Two Dogs & A Camera Signature Collection and is sold in a limited edition format.
Our signature collection is a curated selection of photographs chosen for their ability to capture not only a place, but the experience of being there.
Each size of Earthbound Iridescence will be limited to 200 copies, and each print will be individually numbered.
Bring this Story Home
This photograph is available in a carefully selected range of presentations, from an accessible small fine-art print to statement-sized wall art. All prints are sold as archival fine art prints or gallery-wrapped canvases.
Additional options for this print are available. Email us with special requests.
Each piece is professionally produced to order using museum-quality materials designed to preserve exceptional color and detail for years to come.
Part of the Signature Collection
Continue Exploring Among the Wild
