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Milbert's Tortoiseshell (updated photo)

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted October 27, 20051,282 views13 comments

Canon 10D, Sigma 180+1.4x, 550EX+diffuser -2.7
ISO 200, 1/400s, f/11, Av, Eval -1
Cropped from horizontal

This has to be the most striking butterfly I've encountered. This photo doesn't really do it justice, and I should probably re-edit to bring out the flame-orange colors in the wing margins.

Eye patterns are fairly common, I guess, but seeing the face of a cat just jump out of nowhere like this is a real sight to see! Ventrally they look identical to tree bark and I'm certain they stay well hidden in the evenings.

A total of four showed up in late August and hung around for just a few weeks. It took about a week of shooting to finally get a photo of one on a native flower (here, Rudbeckia) instead of the butterfly bushes that they seem to prefer.

Suggestions are welcome, and thanks for looking!

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Randy Harrison on October 27, 2005 at 6:15 AM

Awesome image Jay. I have yet to see one of these. You did an excellent job capturing it. I love the composition and the exposure is dead on.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 468 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by David Gottlieb on October 27, 2005 at 7:59 AM

Wonderful shot of a spectacular BF

Registered on November 1, 2003, 436 Posts, 1790 Comments

Comment posted by George Hall, Jr on October 27, 2005 at 8:21 AM

Wonderful image Jay! Fantastic details, colors, comp and BG. Nice warm light and exposure. Well done.

Registered on July 11, 2004, 283 Posts, 2395 Comments

Comment posted by William Brozy on October 27, 2005 at 8:40 AM

Whew...... Sensational Jay!!!

This perch is a much better choice than the BF bush and well worth the wait. The warm tones work soooo well together. This is an instant NPN classic.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 559 Posts, 2929 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Dalrymple on October 27, 2005 at 8:40 AM

Awesome!

Jerry Dalrymple
Loveland, Ohio

Registered on October 3, 2004, 56 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Garber on October 27, 2005 at 8:58 AM

WoW!
Great Capture!
First One I have ever seen.

Registered on November 17, 2003, 704 Posts, 3535 Comments

Comment posted by Terri Norris on October 27, 2005 at 5:43 PM

Absolutely beautiful, Jay! They are truly one of the most beautiful butterflies I've ever seen. These are relatively dull looking butterflies until they open those wings...then watch out! I'll post one of my Milbert's to show the outer wings, even though your shot puts mine to shame.

This shot rocks, Jay!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 395 Posts, 2402 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on October 27, 2005 at 7:07 PM

What a beauty! Great job capturing a wonderful specimen!

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Barnes on October 28, 2005 at 3:03 AM

Thanks so much for the comments everyone.

A subject this beautiful truly deserves a better edit. This version is a much more accurate represention of the color and overall texture present in the actual butterfly.

Funny thing is, this update only took a few minutes. Seems to take about a half-hour or so if you really want to screw something up.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 231 Posts, 1153 Comments

Comment posted by Terri Norris on October 28, 2005 at 6:39 AM

The color is more dynamic here.....of course, I didn't see a problem with the original post!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 395 Posts, 2402 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Harrison on October 29, 2005 at 8:58 AM

Jay,
I just keep coming back to this one for a second, third and probably tenth look. Its a real beauty and you captured it so well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 468 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on October 29, 2005 at 7:36 PM

Jay:

meter spike on both presentations for me. Beautiful specimen expertly captured. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on November 7, 2005 at 6:35 AM

Wonderful detail and balance. Congratulations.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments