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Life of a Lemon


Life of a Lemon
Photo Information
Copyright: Monika MvJ (thistle) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1317 W: 77 N: 3012] (9272)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-01
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 4200, Nikkor ED 38-114 F/2.8-4.8
Exposure: f/4.8, 1/2048 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-04-05 3:58
Viewed: 892
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The very first butterfly I saw this year.

I must say I wasn't surprised because since I remeber the Lemon buterflies were always first signs of Spring. They could be seen very shortly after the last winter snow melted away.

As you for sure know this is Brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni.

In Poland it is called Lemon Leaf because of the colour and shape of the wings. This is no doubt one of the most well known butteflies and if anyone knows at least one name of butterfly this is probably the name of this one.

I think the one from my picture is a male.
He was "born" last summer and spend some happy hours flying, feeding on flowers and doing other staff butterlies usually do. When Autumn came and days started to be short and cold, he found a nice, cosy place somewhere among fallen leaves and spend whole winter sleeping (or maybe more accurately, hibernating) there.

Now, when the days become longer he wake up and realized Spring is here. Now he spends most of the time flying and basking in Sun. Any flowers don't bloom yet, so he must be patient. Soon meadows will be covered with flowers and he would be able to live his happy life even to July, if he will have enough luck, of course.
There's also other thing in his head in Spring. He must find a mate. He will be flying and patroling nearby area to find a lady buttefly. When he finds her they will spiral into the sky in a courtship flight before mating.

You must admit it's quite an interesting that this fellows can live so long. It's even more impressive when you realize that some species of butterflies live as an adult form only few days.
ALIRIZA, dew77, phlr, Janice, red45, marhowie, ddg, Wahclellaspirit, liquidsunshine, AndyB, fiyo, aido, firelord has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

congrats on the first BF this year, monika! :-)
it´s really getting springtime -
not here though: 0 degr. C this morning.
beautiful yellowish-green delicate friend,
hope he´s not gonna stay alone too long.
well seen & captured, thor.

Hi Monika,
Beautiful buttefly, perfect focus! Details, color, sharpness, POV and composition are excellent. Well done. Congratulations...
Ali Rıza

hi monika
tres chouette ce papillon en forme de feuille,belles couleurs et bonne netteté.
laurent

Ciao Monika, perfect macro! very good detail, framing and colours.
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2006-04-05 5:14]

Hello Monika!
Wonderful capture.POV,details,simple BG and 3D effect are
very nice.TFS..:-)

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1243 W: 129 N: 881] (2814)
  • [2006-04-05 5:51]

Fantastic photo of this beautiful Pieridae!
Perfect on everything!
Above shcale photo!
TFS and keep on going!

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2006-04-05 6:17]

Hi Monika, I love your Brimstone butterfly, and your notes too. I have wondered what happened over winter to these new creatures that are now appearing once Spring arrives. So they hibernated in the fallen leaves and then were covered with the snow? Isn't nature amazing? All these things were planned and ordered. And no-one tell him what to do, it all happens naturally!
Thank you, beautiful shot...
Janice

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2006-04-05 6:22]

Hi Monika!
Great story about this brave flying Lemon ;-) I think winter sleep is best idea for me ;-) Fine details, very nice yellow colour, especially with contrast to brown leaf. Soon browns will dissapear and greens explode on our meadows and forests! YEAH!!!

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2006-04-05 7:05]

What a wonderful sign of spring that you have very well captured ! I also appreciate the complementary note... Congratulations Monika and thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 637 W: 32 N: 792] (3084)
  • [2006-04-05 7:25]

Hi Monika, nice well composed shot. Good detail and the green stands out very well from the neutral background. Also a good low POV. TFS.
Dean.

Hi Monike, Great capture, Shows great details, POV, BG, greatly composed, TFS Kyle

Hi Monika,
Well composed shot with great detail, color, POV and DOF. I think the brown of the leaf it sits on compliments, and contrasts very well..
Well done!

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2006-04-05 9:55]

Monika bonjour, it's the spring for you too in Poland!! Splendid butterfly with real colors. Great contrast and sharpness. Regards, Didier.

Hello Monika,
A very crisp image showing good detail. The DoF was perfect in highlighting the Lemon Butterfly, Very nicely accomplished,
Steve

Lovely capture Monika,
Good detail, colours and sharpness. A very sweet looking b'fly.
Composition and exposure are good. Good POV and framing.
Thanks for posting, enjoy the rest of the week my friend.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2006-04-05 19:01]

Hi Monika,
A great capture of this butterfly and well done on getting your first of this year.
I saw some today but had no luck :-(
Very good detail,nice diagonal composition and good dof.
Great shot and note.

TFS

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 987 W: 5 N: 2764] (10622)
  • [2006-04-06 1:21]

Hello Monika,
Very good macro,
Great colours, good details and composition
Well done

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-04-06 3:59]

Hi Monika,
A great shot, perfect exposure and detail, really nice subtle colours. A nice POV/composition and as usual an interesting and informative note. A great post!
Cheers,
Adrian

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