Some images are not just about what you see—but about the journey behind them.

This one was captured by my wife during a long, warm 25-kilometer walk across the Mookerheide near Nijmegen. Armed with her Canon 7D Mark II and Sigma 100–400mm, and a small backpack with just the essentials, she spent the day finding her own way in the field. I carried the heavier load—12.5 kg of gear—and together we climbed several steep inclines under the summer sun. By the end, “tired” doesn’t quite cover it.

And somewhere along that journey, she found this: Polygonia c-album, known in Dutch as the gehakkelde aurelia, or in English, the comma butterfly. Named after the small white comma-shaped marking on the underside of its wings, this species is a master of camouflage—often resembling a dead leaf when at rest.

I gave her complete freedom on this one. No intervention, no correction in the moment. Just: observe, try, and we’ll review later.

Back home, we looked at the image together. It works—beautiful subject, strong moment. And just as important, it carries the kind of lessons every photographer learns to see over time: a wing intersecting the eye, a slightly busy foreground, and challenging light. Not flaws to dismiss the image, but signs of growth—of learning to truly observe, to refine, and to recognize what makes an image stronger.

Growth lives in both the success and the imperfection.

And after all that? A well-earned rest and a wonderful dinner at ’t Zwaantje—highly recommended, even for vegan photographers like us.

#PolygoniaCalbum #CommaButterfly #GehakkeldeAurelia #ButterflyPhotography #InsectPhotography #MacroWildlife #NaturePhotography #WildlifePhotography #Sigma100400 #Canon7DMarkII #FieldWork #PhotographyJourney #Mookerheide #Nijmegen #OutdoorLife #HikingAndPhotography #BehindTheShot #PhotoCritique #NatureLovers #WildlifeMoments #PatienceAndPractice #CloseUpNature #TinyWorlds #VeganLife #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #WonderingLens

Meet the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)—a small but striking butterfly fluttering across Europe, including the Netherlands. Males flaunt vivid blue wings edged in white, while females sport brown wings with orange spots and a hint of blue.

Active from May to October, they thrive in sunny meadows, grassy verges, and even urban parks. Their caterpillars favor legumes like bird’s-foot trefoil and clovers, making these plants essential for their survival.

Often seen basking in the sun or gathering in small groups, these butterflies are a delightful sight on warm days. Their presence indicates healthy, flower-rich habitats.

So, next time you're out enjoying nature, keep an eye out for this charming pollinator—it’s a true gem of the European landscape!

#photography #photooftheday #picoftheday #photographer #canon #canonphotography #justgoshoot #macronature #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #wildlife #wildlifephotography #pollinators #garden #wildlife_perfection #insectsofinstagram #butterfly #butterflies #butterflyphotography #butterfliesofinstagram #insectphotography #macro #macrophotography #macro_vision #insects #lepidoptera #commonblue #polyommatusicarus #icarusblauwtje #insectphotography #pollinators #photooftheday #picoftheday #photographer #nederland #natuur #natuurfotografie #natuurgebied #tilburg #brabant

April Flowers Day 2: #goesselkansas #outdoorphotography #outdooradventure #downtownphotography #bethesdatrails #macrophotography #woodlandsagephotography #woodlandsageofinstagram #plantphotography #plantsofinstagram #bugphotography #bugsofinstagram #butterflyphotography #butterfliesofinstagram #aprilflowers #photographychallenge #photographyislife

Zwei Perlmuttfalter am Schlangenknöterich ziemlich oben am Berg. Mit bunt hintendran.

Stiefmütterchen-Perlmutterfalter - Argynnis niobe - Niobe Fritillary, Italia, Aosta, August 2018

#natur #nature #naturephotography #butterfly #butterflyphotography #schmetterling #macro #makro #macrophotography #makrofotografie #wildlife #insect #naturfotografie

#macrophotography #macro #macronaturephotography #macronature #butterflyphotography #butterfly #naturephotography