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Flowerhead neigbourhood
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Flowerhead neigbourhood

by Roger Kirchen

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted June 24, 2013308 views6 comments
This was photographed yesterday on my way back from a rather unsuccessful visit to a local pond. My camera was still set up for birds (150-500 mm) when I came across this butterfly on a flowerhead besides the trail. As far as I can tell, it is a (Western) White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis rubrofasciata). I saw that some insects were on the flowerhead as well, but I did not see the crab spider (at the very left) until I viewed the image on the computer.

The photograph was taken at 500 mm and at the minimum focusing distance of the lens. After returning to my vehicle, I switched to the macro lens and flash, and went back to the location (15 minutes). The BF had flown away (no surprise there) and I did not yet know about the crab spider. So, I spent some time with other insects.

Canon 7D, Sigma 150-500 at 500 mm, f/8.0, ISO 400, 1/640 sec, monopod, natural light, LR5, PS-CC and NIK suite.

I decided to leave the OOF insect at the top as it is part of this flowerhead community and because IMO it provides a counterpoint to the critters in the lower part of the image.

All comments are much appreciated. Thanks for looking and thanks for all your comments on my other photos.

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on June 24, 2013 at 3:56 PM
What a crowded place! Very well done, not easy to take with a 500mm.

Congrats

D&L
Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 24, 2013 at 6:21 PM
Great comp with all these elements of interest, techs look very good Roger.
An excellent job @ a 500mm focal length - Well done! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Yun Gao on June 24, 2013 at 7:18 PM
Beautiful butterfly with a nice pose, good composition and many small surprises. Great shot.
Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on June 24, 2013 at 8:39 PM
Excellent capture of the BF. I like the way the white on the wings matches the perch flowers. The others along for the ride add interest. I don't think I've ever seen so many and such a variety on one flower. Was this the only flower for miles around? :wink:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Pullen on June 25, 2013 at 10:35 PM
A bit soft, but a good image none the less. :toast: Ron
Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 27, 2013 at 12:34 PM
That's quite a crowded neighborhood. Pretty amazing that you captured this with a 500mm. Your comp. works well with the main focus on that lovely butterfly and the soft green background.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments