Pawnee Butterflies

While waiting for some Spring colors to arrive here, I was going through
some previous years images.

I took this image of Pawnee Butterflies 2 years ago. When looking at
the original image I thought "Hey, there is something more here".

So after some artistic tinkering, here is the after and before.

Thoughts?

Thanks for looking.

Original image

I really like what you did with this image Jeremy; the original has alot of yellow in it and the butterflies blend into the image a little, your PS version really brings the butterflies to life, and your choice of toning works well!. It's almost wildflower time again in the Buttes, there's alot more there than meets the eye!.

I like the tinkered with version - the painted ladies really pop!

Thanks for the comments!

Dave, you bring up a question I had. Are these really Painted Ladies? I was trying to figure out what they
were from this website : http://www.thebutterflysite.com/colorado-butterflies.shtml

Best I can tell, they are the Mormon Fritillary type. But I'm not positive. That URL is http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1690&chosen_state=08*Colorado

Of course, renaming the image from "Pawnee Butterflies" to "Painted Ladies" may draw more folks to
my website!

Jeremy, you need to post the first one over in Photo Art, too! Very well done with your processing vision. I like the bright mood in the second one, too, but the butterflies do tend to blend into the background a little. Excellent comp!

This is terrific! I really like how you made them come to life!

I referred to the Peterson Prairie guide and they appear to be Regal Fritillaries.

You da' Man Dave, thanks!

Morris - Thanks for the suggestion, I'll do that.

Really nice execution Jeremy. The butterflies compete too much with the background on the color version, but your processing really makes them pop in the first image!

The original is good enough in its own right, but your tinkered version takes it up many levels. Great use of subdued color and vignetting.

Those are both really nice! The second is my favorite, but the first is not far behind. Very cool.

Love the processing on the first one. Its a beauty.

That first one is quite striking. Well done, Jeremy!

Excellent job of 'developing' that image.
The word 'tinkering' is nowhere near what you actually accomplished here.
I really like what you did here!

Excellent processing job! Love the tinkered version!

I agree with everybody, the tinkered version is absolutely wonderful. It wouldn't work for use in a field guide, but it sure does for everything else.

I like both, but as others have said, the processed version is great!