Oh Hello !

<< Previous Next >>
Oh Hello !
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3085 W: 231 N: 5879] (19530)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-27
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-04-27 16:43
Viewed: 412
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus

Click here to see another caterpillar, a chrysalid, a butterfly, and a cluster .

The Monarch butterfly is known by scientists as Danaus plexippus, which in Greek literally means "sleepy transformation." The name, which evokes the species' ability to hibernate and metamorphize, is actually inspired by the Greek myth of Danaus, in which the daughters of Danaus, king of Libya, flee Libya for Greece in order to avoid marrying their cousins. The long, migratory journey of the Monarch butterflies is reminiscent of the daughters' flight.
Adult Monarchs possess two pair of brilliant orange-reddish wings, featuring black veins and white spots along the edges. Their wingspan is about four inches, and they weigh less than half an ounce. Males, who possess distinguishing black dot (stigmata) along the veins of their wings, are slightly bigger than the females.

Each adult butterfly lives only about four to five weeks. But one of the many wonders of the Monarchs is the annual creation of a unique "Methuselah generation." As autumn approaches in their sites of migratory origin, a very special generation of butterflies is born. Unlike their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents -- all of whom had ephemeral lives measured only in weeks -- these migratory butterflies survive seven or eight months. In human terms, given our average life span of 75 years, this would be like having children who lived to be 525 years old!

This generation performs the incredible feat of flying from Canada and the United States to the center of Mexico -- after which they begin the northward journey again. Once they reach the United States, a kind of relay race begins: their short-lived offspring, with only four or five weeks to live, continue making the trek northward over several generations.

Source
rcrick, Pentaxfriend, tuslaw, Art_R, ramthakur, maurydv, gannu, loot, jusninasirun, SelenE 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
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 546 W: 39 N: 955] (3136)
  • [2008-04-27 17:02]

Hi Manye,

What an excellent shot of this Monarch Butterfly to be, even at this stage of its life it has beautiful colours, superb detail, well composed and framed.
Cheers Rick :)

Hi Manyee,

Beautiful catapillar shot
Perfect diagonal compo with excellent colors and light
great sharpness and fine details

TFS Thijs

Exceptional view of the Monarch caterpillar. Great DOF and pose.

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 138 W: 7 N: 316] (1038)
  • [2008-04-27 18:11]

Manyee,
Great shot of this Monarch Butterfly catepillar. Very sharp and detailed with wonderful natural colours.
When I was a young boy I would collect them in a container until they transformed into their chrysalid state. In a few weeks a beautiful butterfly would hatch out and I would send it on it's way. TFS
Ron

  • Great 
  • Art_R Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 162 W: 13 N: 351] (1329)
  • [2008-04-27 19:18]

Hi Manye, this is a great shot , the dark back ground really works for this colorful beauty , the flower is very nice as well.

regards

Art

Hello Manyee,
Your Caterpillar picture led me down your links lane to finally reach the incredible cluster of wintering Monarchs.
It was an educational journey all the way that reveals the diverse stages through which this butterfly passes before acquring that distinct look of a Monarch.
Its close cousin is our Asatic Plain Tiger, isn't it?
You have chosen your best shot of this Caterpillar for posting today, and why not? The others in the Workshop are equally well captured and add to the significance of your well-aimed research into the life-cycle of a Monarch butterfly.
You have used the natural light very effectively in this picture. The subject is in perfect focus and the entire composition along with those pink/purple flowers is gorgeous to look at.
Thanks for sharing the image and for providing a deeper insight into your favourite theme.
Regards,
Ram

Bellissima macro, ottimi POV e DOF, molto equilibrato e bello il taglio compositivo, eccellenti dettagli, bellissimi i colori e i giochi di luce. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 361 W: 60 N: 563] (2303)
  • [2008-04-28 12:42]

Hello Manyee,
Beautiful capture!
I saw the other captures of this species, they are very nice!
TFS
Ena

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5676 W: 602 N: 3193] (8545)
  • [2008-04-28 12:44]
  • [2]

Hi ManYee

A lovely colourful caterpillar shot augmented by the equally colourful flowers in the shot. The links also tells a story that takes one on a journey, almost sort of from 'cradle to grave'. Ok, there was no grave scene, but the last link showing the butterfly being and that is the last stage of this cycle. I have to comment on the extra long antennae of the caterpillar as it is quite something to behold. The distance between the two tips is more than have the caterpillar's length.

I like your composition and the usage of the flowers to extend or distribute the image throughout the frame. The details are nice and sharp with lovely facial features visible on the caterpillar and also the finer particulars of the flower. Obviously this was possible through the appropriate aperture on your S3. I always remain amazed at the ability of these prosumer cameras to stretch the range of the DOF at low range aperture values.

Well done MF and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hello Maynee. Wow... beautiful stripes and well captured on that gorgeous flowers. Excellent sharpness and pleasant lighting and thanks for sharing. Best regards. Jusni

Hi Manyee.
You must have thought well about this composition, because it turned out fantastic.The rich colours add to that.
A real beauty.
TFS

Hi Manyee,
Wow! the pattern on this caterpillar is incredibly beautiful. The POV is really nice and shows this wiggly little guy off so well. The flowers reall add even more excitement to the image. TFS
Paul :)

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 708 W: 4 N: 1734] (8234)
  • [2008-04-30 0:33]

Hello Manyee, What a beautiful shot and I like the various colors in the insect and the position it is in the top of the branch. Well done. The composition and the sharpness is perfect.Ganesh smiley tmrw

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2309 W: 58 N: 4001] (13058)
  • [2008-04-30 1:52]

Hi Manyee,
Very nice close-up capture. Details, colors , background, exposure control, composition, pose you captured and POV are very good. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3322 W: 144 N: 5604] (16561)
  • [2008-05-05 2:57]

Hi Manyee, I haven't seen you for AGES!! I'm not on here so much now, but still post about weekly - maybe!! All is well with me, but I find posting on TL a little easier - also I have trouble enough finding 'treknature' pics to post.

I just love the expression on this fellow's face and the title suits it perfectly. Very good colours and sharp details too.

Cheers
Janice

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF