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Expect the Unexpected


Expect the Unexpected
Photo Information
Copyright: Ivan Kruys (Argus) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3802 W: 190 N: 11310] (34871)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-08-31
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Canon EF 300 f4L + Canon 1.4 converter
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-01-07 8:04
Viewed: 765
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The nature photographer can always expect the unexpected.

In this nature reserve about 20 km from my home I was expecting to be able to photograph warblers and other small birds before they move south.

I saw a black-cap. As I was about to take a shot it flew into a neaby oak. While I was searching for it this butterfly whizzed round the oak infront of me.

It settled about 3 meters up. My susspicions of its identity were confirmed when it began to open its wings to sun itself. A female Brown Hairstreak!

This species (Thecla betula) is sparsely distributed in S. Sweden and most of Europe and is nowhere common.
This is the first time it has been seen in this reserve.

I have always wanted a good shot of the this butterffy with wings open, especially the female that has the large orange patches. I still haven't completely succeeded with this aim but at least you can see what the upper surfaces of the wings look like.

Her abdomen is still swollen with eggs. As she lays them on sloan she is using this oak not only to get some warmth but to possibly suck up honeydew left on the leaves by aphids.

I took this shot with my camera hand-held at a distance of about 4 meters.
I only had a minute to take shots since she flew off, possibly to oviposit.

You can see what the underside of the wings look like in the WS
volkan, JORAPAVI, ramthakur, ellis49, star74, peter_stoeckl, Tamrock, cecilia has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To peter_stoeckl: Sharpness at 4 metersArgus 2 01-08 05:17
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1059 W: 290 N: 3942] (13328)
  • [2007-01-07 8:21]

Hello Ivan,
I like to see a picture of this rare Lycaenide. Only once, I had the opportunity to observe it - without camera. You show the specimen from a very difficult point of view with the focus on the body and wing base. Although the wings are almost closed one can see the nice orange kidney-like patch.
Best wishes, Peter

hi Ivan,
lovely shot,
well composed,
excellent pov,
natural colours,
very well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi Ivan,
Beautiful closeup shot.
Nice blurry BG and colors.
I like the details a lot.
TFS

Hola Ivan,
Bonita toma con mucho detalle y excelente composición. Un saludo

Hello Ivan,
The "unexpected" in this case is a brilliant capture of this unusual and uncommon butterfly.
With limitations of time, I guess you have done a great job of shooting this butterfly from considerable distance. The details and colours are excellent.
Please accept my belated New Year's Greetings.
Ram

Hi Ivan,

I absolutely agree with what you wrote about the expectations of a nature photographer. I share your enthusiasm about seeing this rare butterfly.I'm sure a second time will come when you'll take a shot of this species with wings wide open.

Well done & TFS.

Hej Ivan,
as you say, we can expect the unexpected but when it happend your mostley "naked", without camera.
this is a beautiful butterfly, I have never seen this before.
I like the WS better. Lovely colours, good POV and details.
Very well done.

Grattis till en mycket fin bild av denna raritet.

  • Great 
  • star74 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 212 W: 3 N: 597] (2472)
  • [2007-01-07 11:32]

Hi Ivan,
Very nice colors indeed.
I like the POV and details a lot.
Nice job.
TFS

Hello Ivan,
very beautiful capture of Thecla betulae, perfectly well focussed, very well lightened, with nice shadows.
These butterflies are very hard to approach, and they always use to sit down out of reach somewhere up on a branch.
Reading "hand-held at a distance of about 4 meters" in your notes explains to me why the approach was so successful, but it leaves me with the other - technical - puzzle, how you manage to get such a sharp picture looking that close from such a distance.
Great shot. Thank you!
Best regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • magal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 226 W: 0 N: 313] (1241)
  • [2007-01-07 13:47]

Hi Ivan,
Nice shot with a very beautiful story behind it.
Thanks for posting a shot of such a rarity and for showing its beauty in the workshop.
TFS
Mark

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1007 W: 64 N: 1266] (5195)
  • [2007-01-07 15:48]

Hello Ivan
Excellent shot and fortunate capture!! Wonderful POV, DOF, color, lighting... everything.
Thank you very much for sharing.
Best wishes
Maite

This is a brilliant shot,love the markings,have never seen one of these before.
Cecilia

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-01-07 22:52]

Hello Ivan

Congratulations ,Great capture of this rare beauty.The colours are well saturated and the markings show well.Excellent POV and DOF.The image is sharp and well focused.Well done TFS

Rob

hi ivan!
A very beautiful butterfly!
nice lightning and good sharpness
snyggt jobbat!

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