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Evening Blue


Evening Blue
Photo Information
Copyright: Terry Longley (wideload) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 5 N: 1018] (3775)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-19
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 30 D, Canon EF300mm 4/L IS + ext tube, ISO 200
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-06-19 13:02
Viewed: 1049
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Wingspan 32mm
Double broods occur in England, Wales and Ireland and butterflies can be seen between May - June and August - September. Partial 3rd broods may occur in good years. Single broods occur north of Derbyshire in England, Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland with adults on the wing between June and September. Partial 2nd broods may occur in good years.

The bright blue males are most easily seen while the females are more secretive in behavior.

Counting and recording of Common Blues can be quite easy. The best time to make accurate counts of numbers within a colony is to visit the site late in the evening or during sunset. With experience and a good eye, most individuals can be found, usually resting on a dried grass stem, facing down, wings closed but one side face on to the sun to absorb as much heat as possible before the sun finally sets.


Larval Foodplants
The larvae feed on a variety of plants including:
Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium)


Larvae are difficult to find on the food plant, however, locating the eggs is easier being white and laid on the upper surfaces of the foodplant.

The Common Blue can be found across much of England and Wales, and parts of Southern Scotland. The Common Blue is the most widespread butterfly in the UK but may only be found in substantial numbers where a breeding colony in favourable environmental conditions can be found.

The Common Blue is found in a variety of grassy habitats, particularly where the larval foodplants can be found in sunny sheltered positions. Many habitats are used including road verges, woodland clearings, disused railway lines, quarries and coastal areas.
aido, hekcik, MojoUK, phlr, coasties, slrnovice2, firelord, paulsballs has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To aido: DoFwideload 4 07-14 13:11
To pac: small fwideload 2 06-20 04:27
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1095 W: 169 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-06-19 13:04]
  • [+]

Hi Terry,
Beautiful shot, I'm not normally keen on macros with such a shallow DOF but this is superb, I think it works because of the perfect detail on the head and antennae. Great shot.
Cheers,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • Aramok Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 103 N: 1420] (4885)
  • [2006-06-19 13:44]

great shot, but wonderful detail at the point of focus. the OOF green BG works really well with the blue of the b'fly.

TFS

Emma

  • Great 
  • pac Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 84 W: 14 N: 158] (1747)
  • [2006-06-19 14:41]
  • [+]

Very nice, colours and all.

As to the dof, why the small f?

/Dan

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-06-19 14:41]

Hi Terry

Beautiful colour and composition.Excellent detail, I really like the OOF BG as well .TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1028 W: 285 N: 3429] (11374)
  • [2006-06-19 15:08]

Hallo Terry,
you have captured the common Common Blue in a way that the iridescence of the blue colour becomes apparent. This is usually not seen but you met the right angle and point of view. Pretty good sharpness regarding antennae, head and forewings of icarus.
Peter

Hi Terry,
sooooo beautiful, I love your little butterfly so much. Excellent colours and sharpness, very well done, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • hekcik Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 330 W: 15 N: 305] (1823)
  • [2006-06-19 16:19]

Hi Terry,

Amazing close-up.
Excellent POV, DOF and colors.
Very good details and framing.
Very well done!

TFS :-)
Norbert

  • Great 
  • MojoUK Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 7 N: 328] (1479)
  • [2006-06-19 16:36]

Fabulous shot Terry. You captured the beautiful blue tones very nicely. There is just enough detail in the OOF part of the wings for it to work.

I was thinking of getting a Sigma 150 macro for this type of work but after seeing all your closeups taken with this combination I'm having second thoughts.

Regards, Mark.

Hi Terry

This is just stunning. Simple, but very effective. :-)

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1276 W: 133 N: 874] (2804)
  • [2006-06-20 3:37]

Very beautiful photo of this Lycaenidae!
Wonderful blue colour!
Excellent POV and BG!
Very good DOF and details!
5* and TFS!

What a delicious blue. Good BG and POV.

Hi Terry
Very good shot of this Lycaenidae.
Perfect colours and sharpness.
Good composition and background

Chris

Good composition and colours,
Contrast with OOf background is good.

Hi Terry, spot on focusing, DOF, BG and great sharpness really make this image stand out. It's a fantastic capture :)

G'day Terry
I to dont believe in "blue and green should never be seen"!
Thanks for the comment and sharing your capture.
Paul

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 498 W: 2 N: 466] (2162)
  • [2007-07-17 3:02]

it's like a flower! very beautiful. tfs

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