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Lift-off.....


Lift-off.....
Photo Information
Copyright: Mark Galea (magal) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 226 W: 0 N: 313] (1241)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-26
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ30EG
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/1000 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-12-22 9:02
Viewed: 957
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi Friends,
Being home and able to post some shots with some regularity is just great. There is not much going as regards insect life this time of the year so I dug into my folders and brought up this shot of a Speckled wood butterfly. I must admit this was the first time I had ever seen this butterfly in Malta and in the excitment to capture a few shots I did not afford the usual attention to settings and approach, with the result that The shots turned out a bit flat [I think].
The Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodlands throughout much of Europe. In Northern and Eastern Europe where subspecies P. a. tircis occurs it is brown with pale yellow or cream spots and darker eyespots. In southwestern Europe the subspecies P. a. aegeria has a colour which is more orange in the background. The two forms gradually intergrade into each other. The speckled wood also occurs in North Africa and on the Atlantic island of Madeira. Molecular studies suggest that the African and Madeiran populations are closely related and distinct from European populations of both subspecies, suggesting that Madeira was colonized from Africa and that the African population has a long history of isolation from European populations. Females have brighter and more distinct markings than males. The wingspan of both males and females is 4 - 4.5 cm, although males tend to be slightly smaller than females. Males are highly territorial and will defend their territory against intruding males. The caterpillar is green with a short, forked tail and feeds on various species of grass including Yorkshire Fog. The chrysalis (pupa) is green or dark brown. The species is unique in its ability to overwinter in two totally separated developmental stages, as pupae or as half-grown larvae. This leads to a complicated pattern of several adult flights.

Description of the Butterfly directly from Wikipedia. Shot was taken in heavily shadowed area thus the fill flash.I named it lift off because it appears as if the insect is shooting upwards from the undergrowth.
Thanks for watching and happy Christmas to all.
Mark
JoseMiguel, markop, phlr, uleko, fiyo, ramthakur, RAP, AndyB, Maite, jcoowanitwong, anel has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Mark,
Great shot of this butterfly, you got it plenty of details thanks to your POV, despite it was taken in a hurry.
The compostiion is so well balanced, I like the way the grass and other plants acts like background.
Congratulations, thanks for share and happy holidys!,
JM

Hi Mark,
wonderful butterfly capture. Excellent PoV to get the whole wings in focus. Their brown color beautifully contrasts the green all around and I like the composition with the lines created by the long leaves adding I think to the effect you describe in your title (lift-off).
TFS,
Stavros

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2961 W: 162 N: 826] (2453)
  • [2006-12-22 9:56]

Hello Mark,
Brilliant capture of this Speckled Wood, a butterfly I miss very much in Scania. Very sharp and lovely colours. I like the composition very much.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 986 W: 5 N: 2715] (10472)
  • [2006-12-22 10:01]

Hi
Perfect shot,Mark!
Sharpness,details and colors are excellent.TFS

Hello Mark,
First of all, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Coming to the picture, it is a great capture you have pulled out from your archive. The butterfly is quite pretty and you have shot it very well. I find the image perfect in every respect.
Warm regards,
Ram

Hi Mark,
A good image..
Good sharpnes...
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2006-12-22 15:37]

Bonita macro con buena agudeza y foco, aunque se percibe algo de ruido de fondo.
Los colores son suaves (quizás demasiado) con apropiado punto de vista y excelente elección del encuadre.
Mis mejores deseos Mark para estas fiestas que se avecinan... Ricardo

Nice macro with good sharpness and focus, although something of bottom noise is perceived.
The colors are soft (maybe too much) with appropriate point of view and excellent election of the framing.
My best wishes Mark for these holidays that approach... Ricardo

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2006-12-22 17:28]

hello Mark,
A great capture of the Speckled wood,a difficult butterfly to get.
Excellent detail and DOF.
Nice work,TFS
have a great christmas.

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1007 W: 64 N: 1266] (5195)
  • [2006-12-23 9:14]

Hello Mark
Really beautiful picture with a wonderful composition and very good realization.
Thank you very much for sharing and for the useful information also.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
Best wishes
Maite

Hello Mark,
Beautiful butterfly and photo. The sharpness and color saturation are great. An eye catching picture. Merry Christmas and happy New Year.
JC

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1691 W: 0 N: 3814] (15352)
  • [2007-01-14 7:50]

Hi Mark,
I don't think that your shot is flat. I understand your excitement seeing the Speckled Wood. For me last year was also the first time I saw one. And they are very beautiful. The composition of your picture is good too.
Best regards
Anne

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