by Jim Zablotny
Finally, I found a single monarch caterpillar on one of the seedling milkweeds. It is sad considerring that there should be more with 4 species of milkweeds on the property. I'm hoping that this one makes it before the frost hits. K5 IIs 180mm f3.5 (1/200sec at f16, ISO 640) -3ev fill flash. Levels, Brightness and contrast, adjusted temperature to be slightly cooler, Shadows & Highlights, Topaz Detail.............................................Jim
Comments
6 commentsBeautiful colors and a classic pose. I'm always glad to see one of these guys. Have you planted a variety of milkweeds for them? They kinda need the help.
Hi Nancy,
I have swamp, common, prairie, and butterfly weed for milkweed species. A deer wolfed down my green milkweed so it is no longer present. The key is to have lots of seedlings for the monarchs because they tend to lay eggs on young plants................Jim
Jim, I saw a full grown monarch cat. on my common milkweed 4 days ago. I assume it crawled off to pupate, which would put it in the middle of the local migration season if it hatches in 2 - 3 weeks. (That was my second monarch cat. this year, with three species of milkweed). This is a good look at this one chowing down on that milkweed leaf. The negative space works well here.
An excellent example of a monarch at work. Very sharp throughout. Really like the composition you've chosen and the background colours blend in well. Graham
I have seen zero, zip, nada of Monarch caterpillars this year. Sad indeed!
I recently read an article that says we may very well lose the fall migration, but not the monarch itself. But that would be a tragedy in & of itself..
Great classic look a this cat with a nice view of its head Jim.. Some of the black segments look a bit OE, but a minor nit.
Post Script: Thanx for the explanation about the microsetae and asperities you are trying to show, by bringing up the shadows there Jim. My first impression was that the lighter areas looked slightly over-processed/flashed/exposed..