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Grayling for Anne


Grayling for Anne
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3298 W: 167 N: 9926] (32204)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-30
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma EX 105mm F2.8 DG Macro, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-02 21:46
Viewed: 301
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I dedicate this picture to Anne; she posted the same species a day ago and I thought I would upload my modest picture in comparison to express my gratitude to her. The picture was taken in a forest clearing in the western Himalayas and the light was tricky in the late morning.
This is some Himalayan species of Grayling and may not match exactly to the description I have appended below from Wikipedia that is based on the species found in the UK. My doubt is about the eye features. Specialists may please enlighten me about my error in identification.

The Grayling (Hipparchia semele) is a species in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. It sometimes occurs in coastal areas of northeast Scotland such as the Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve. It can also be found near the coast around England, such as Fire Beacon Hill. This species is often associated with bare ground and rocky hills.

They rest with closed wings, forewings lowered between the hindwings as do many Satyrinae. When disturbed, they raise the forewing so that the large eyespots near its apex become visible. A predator attacking the butterfly could either be startled by the sudden appearance of the pattern, or be enticed into attacking the conspicuous spot rather than the butterfly's body (Stevens, 2005). A very similar species has recently been in discovered at Faraulep, Stripe-backed Grayling.
valy67, rousettus, anel, goldyrs, Noisette, peter_stoeckl has marked this note useful
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To peter_stoeckl: Great!ramthakur 1 10-13 16:06
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1880 W: 59 N: 2915] (8733)
  • [2009-10-02 22:07]

Hello Ram !
Wow, this butterfly's got such an excellent camouflage, must have been so difficult to see him ! But even though he's got the same color as BG, you managed to get an excellent picture, making him stant out nicely and reproducing every details of his wings, with their beautiful brown markings. The composition is splendid, too, as well as your well-chosen POV. Very well done !
Valérie.

hello Mr Ram,
Grayling is beautiful butterfly and present here. you nicely captured it in its characteristic position. focus, POV/DOF and composition very nice. also frame. it will be a nice dedication to our friend Anne. Thanks for sharing, best wishes
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1731 W: 0 N: 3942] (15822)
  • [2009-10-03 5:45]

Hello Ram,
Very pleased to receive such a nice dedication and with the picture of a butterfly, which always appears a little bit enigmatic and mysterious to me. Thank you so much!
Amazing possibility of camouflage for the Grayling on these stones. And I see that your specimen has more white parts on the wings, must be a male.
Yes, I was laying flat on the ground to take my picture. I can easily do that on my meadow, because my next neighbours are on a certain distance :-)
Encore merci
Kind regards
Anne

A lovely shot, Sir!
Will not elaborate!
Have a wonderful WE!
Goldy

Hello Ram
a fine capture of this Grayling, he is very well camouflaged in this natural environment
great POV of his closed wings and superb composition
Have a good night
Jacqueline

Hello Ram,
the shy grayling, stunningly well camouflaged to almost being invisible at rest, is a well familiar sight from the barren areas of the country I live in, too. One of my favourite butterflies, and a real challenge, as I never succeeded to capture it with open wings yet. You made very good use of the intense light casting a deep shadow, making the butterfly stand out well against its background.
A beautiful contribution to our friend Anne.
Thank you! With best regards from Vienna,
Peter


P.S.: Thank you for your very kind words to my recent posting on the ringlet trapped in the waters.

P.P.S.: My wife is just preparing to leave for a few weeks' visit to Himachal Pradesh where she will be working with her friend, a doctor of medicine who founded the Nishta Centre of Rural health, near Dharamsala. She loves that place and its people. I wished I could go with her.

a nice picture.. the satyr blends so well in the background that it took me a while to figure out what exactly is the image about in the thumbnail! all these beauties can only be seen in the Himalayas... thanks for sharing :)

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