<< Previous Next >>

First of 2009


First of 2009
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Ellstrom (ellis49) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3388 W: 343 N: 9479] (30805)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-01
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Sigma 150mm F2.8 APO Macro DG HSM, Digital RAW 400
Exposure: f/16, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-04-02 3:19
Viewed: 970
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
First I will thank all for the nice comments and words of my last post.

This is the first real sight of spring up here, the Small Tortoiseshell use to show up in the end of Marsh but this one was one day late. ;-)
It was sitting on the south wall on our theatre in Gävle.
We still have winter with snow but there is small spots with grass and some spring flower like snowdrops and crocus so maybe this one can find something to eat.
I quite surprised it was in so good shape after the wintering; they use to very pale and with broken wings but this one look pretty fresh. I also find a big hoverfly, post it later after I got the right id.
I hope you like my first butterfly of 2009.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Small Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis urticae) is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe. There are a few records from New York City which, however, are believed to have arrived human-assisted.
This is a species often found in gardens. The caterpillars feed on nettles, as do those of several Nymphalidae butterflies.
The adult is striking, with its dark body and red and yellow wings, which have a row of blue dots around the rear edge. However, the underwings are dull, which helps to conceal stationary or hibernating individuals. When threatened, resting individuals rapidly open theior wings, presenting the dramatic display of colors. This can frighten away young or inexperienced birds (Stevens 2005).
The butterfly is abundant in most areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland. However, its availability often varies yearly. Its commonness may often depend on the status of the common wasp in that particular season, as the wasp is known to feed on the Tortoiseshell's pupae.
The Corsican Small Tortoiseshell Nymphalis (urticae) ichnusa looks very similar; whether it is a subspecies or a distinct species is yet to be determined

Sigma 150mm /2.8 EX macro, hand held camera
ISO 400, Raw-format, AV-mode, +2/3 Ev
Converted in Canon DPP, Levels, Contrast, Crop, resized to 800 pixels, Smart Sharpen ,PP in PS CS4.
Well calibrated Eizo monitor, calibrated/profiled with a Spyder3 Elite
Miss_Piggy, kmr13777, boreocypriensis, maurydv, flashpoint, eqshannon, KOMSIS, jaycee, Gert-Paassen, nglen, matatur, Noisette, ramthakur, valy67, siggi, Alex99 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Argus: NN hoverfly Bookellis49 1 04-07 08:02
To carper: Long time, no seeellis49 1 04-07 06:36
To uleko: Varmtellis49 1 04-04 10:20
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

hi,
looks like new specimen, displaying great colors and design in good lighting conditions. tfs.
nagraj.v

Great Macro Gert.
Beautiful colors and details with very nice POV. Excellent composition with a very nice BG.

TFS

Kirti

Hallo Gert
A lovely butterfly in a striking pose. The colours and patterns are warm and reminds me of a burning fire. The shiny copper coloured hairs of the body are very eye-catching. Focus, sharpness and ultimate end product, A+. Just love the large image, making all the detail so much clearer and displays wonderfully. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards.
Anna

Hello Gert,

Superb shot of this very colourful butterfly. Very nice details and composition. Very good as always.

Thanks,
Prasad

Ciao Gert, great first butterfly for you in 2009 with splendid colors and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Gert, congrats that you found your firs b-fly, even a small one:) Perfectly composed and focused tortoiseshel MF.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 15 N: 1566] (6115)
  • [2009-04-02 7:27]

Hello Gert
Nice capture with wonderful colors and good details
Regards
Razvan

Hello Gert,
a wonderful picture of this "first real sight of spring" in Sweden, fantastic light and brilliant colours, superb sharpness in a very nice composition, i like the diagonal perspective of the colourful wings.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

hello Gert!
excellent sight of spring with sunny light
details and colours perfect..compliments

best sERGIO

I can almost feel that butterfly being patient while you get your gear in order. That is a quality for a photographer that cannot be learned. Some can do and some not..I am a not:-) You are a just do it and do it right!
Bob

Hello Gert,
First of 2009... You are lucky ...:)
Beautiful butterfly.
Beautiful colors and details with very nice POV.
Thanks for sharing.
Seyfi.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-04-02 10:44]

Hi Gert,

I hope you have forgiven this beautiful Tortoiseshell for showing up a day late! A wonderful open-winged pose showing off the deep rich colors and fine details. The composition is exceptionally pleasing.

Jane

Hi Gert,

nice close up shot with warm colours and great details.
I have seen a few butterflies this year but they are late this year.

Gert

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2904 W: 34 N: 8600] (32056)
  • [2009-04-02 11:26]

Hi Gert. It looks like spring is with you at last lets hope it stays . As you say in your notes this one survived the winter so well. Youe were able to take it with fine detail and bright colours. Your POV shows the wing markings so well. TFS.
Nick..

This is a real beauty Gert, the harsh lighting emphasizes the natural colours and scalation details of the small b.fly to a perfection, even its shadow shows off the wing fronts rather nicely. The creamy (whitewashed ?) rock face forms a simple, yet elegant backdrop. Thanks for sharing this fine image with us my friend.
Cheers,
Mehmet

hello Gert
beautiful composition
good light and beautiful colours
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2380 W: 94 N: 5487] (17484)
  • [2009-04-02 12:25]

Hello Gert,
Splendid clear colours in this photo. Great contrasts against almost white BG. Excellent sharp details and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Gert
Yes i like your first butterfly of this year, it is a fine capture, very sharp and superb colors and lighting
Great composition and very good contrast against the white wall
Very well done

Considering this one is a survivor from the previous summer, it certainly is amazingly intact, Gert.
Moreover, handled by a photographer of your calibre, it looks more beautiful than it actually could be. What rich colours and minute details on its open wings!
Thanks for sharing this beauty.
Ram

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2986 W: 162 N: 929] (2735)
  • [2009-04-04 9:50]
  • [+]

Hej Gert,
Congratulations on capturing the first Tortoiseshell up north!! And a very nice capture too! Excellent sharpness as usual and lovely rich colours.
TFS and cheers, Ulla
Härlig vårdag här i söder också och flera påfågel, nässel- och citronfjärilar men de vill inte sitta still!!

it's a pleasure to see you my old friend.
I had a look to your photo stream, man, Gert you are a fantastic photographer, when I look to your bird shot's and macro's I really enjoy from it.the quality and the good photo work.
I see you have the sigma 150 macro for a while, may I ask you how it works. I have also the canon 40d and now I am looking out for a new macro lens..
have a very good evening.
jaap

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3802 W: 190 N: 11310] (34871)
  • [2009-04-07 7:38]
  • [+]

Hej Gert,
A fine capture of a Nässelfjäril sunning itself at the base of a wall. The angle of the wings and your POV have allowed almost total sharpness. The composition and contrast with the white-washed wall are superb.
The NN hoverfly book comes out next month- at last! But I look forward to seeing your hoverfly shot before then.
Great work MF!
Hälsningar,
Ivan

Mitt andra banbarn kommer att födas i juli, vilket betyder krock med ett besök på Fjärilsvägen på den rätta tiden men jag hoppas att det går mot månadens slut. Vi får se..

Hello Gert !
Everybody's posting their first butterfly of 2009, except me ! I'll have to go out soon with my camera, and try to change that situation ! But you picture here is wonderful, I love the classical pose with open wings, the warm light falling on the butterfly's wings, the vivid colors, the composition, and the POV. Very well done !
Valérie.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1367 W: 56 N: 4680] (16082)
  • [2009-04-09 8:16]

Hello Gert,
fantastic capture of this beautiful butterfly! excellent macro, Great POV, composition, and BG. well done.Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3581 W: 143 N: 5669] (18529)
  • [2009-04-09 9:24]

Hi Gert.
Outstanding shot in every aspect. Fantastic lights and colours. I cannot tear off eyes from this picture. DOF is great. All scene is tack sharp including impressive ground. Details of the butterfly is extreme. Every hair on the head and body is visible perfectly. Transparency of the image is also ultimate and diagonal composition is brilliant. My congratulations and TFS. Superb work. Highest standard for all of us.
Alexei.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF