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Speyeria cybele


Speyeria cybele
Photo Information
Copyright: John Denk (jpdenk) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 480 W: 5 N: 783] (2061)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-09
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Exposure: f/11, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Insects and Arachnids of the Chicago Region [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-09-11 9:51
Viewed: 667
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Speyeria cybele, Great Spangled Fritillary. Photographed on the same day as the butterflies in my last 2 postings, but much less common, only saw 2 of these beauties. While the other species were busy nectaring, this species was sitting on the ground where the grass was short-mowed, not sure why, maybe they are slower to warm up in the morning.

Anyway, these large (54-76mm wing span) Fritillaries are not so common where I live, but I seem to be seeing them more often lately. Their caterpillars feed on Violet leaves, and Violets are slowly becoming more plentiful at the Bartel Grassland, so that probably explains the presence of this species.

They have a rather unusual reproductive cycle in that they lay eggs in late summer, the eggs hatch, but the caterpillars don't eat until they've overwintered, then they eat the emerging Violet leaves.

This isn't the most "pretty" picture, they weren't co-operating with me that morning. This is mainly intended to be a record of this species at that site, but I thought it might be appreciated by those here who like butterflies.
crs, accassidy, jrobertop, tuslaw, rcrick, bahadir, xTauruSx, boreocypriensis, meyerd, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To meyerd: Thank youjpdenk 1 09-22 08:25
To boreocypriensis: Thanksjpdenk 1 09-13 03:43
To xTauruSx: ThankIjpdenk 1 09-12 12:31
To bahadir: Thanksjpdenk 1 09-12 12:29
To jrobertop: Thanksjpdenk 1 09-12 12:26
To rcrick: Thanksjpdenk 1 09-12 12:25
To tuslaw: Thanksjpdenk 1 09-12 12:24
To mariki: Thanksjpdenk 1 09-12 12:21
To accassidy: Thanksjpdenk 1 09-12 12:20
To crs: Thank youjpdenk 1 09-12 06:27
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-09-11 10:05]
  • [+]

Hello John,

You have made a good close-up of the butterfly. You have focused well on the head of the butterfly getting nice sharp details on the insect's body. You also cought a nice light in your photo and used it well rendering nicely the texture of the body and wings.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hi John,
Yes it is hiding in the grass somewhat. Nevertheless a good record for the site, with good colouration and some interesting details. Thanks.
Alan

Hello John,

Excellent sharp picture of this Fritillary. Excellent POV and DOF. Very good exposure and colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Very nice image John,
Believe it or not I got my first shot of one of these just the other day. I also had the same problem as you did, mine wanted to burrow down into the clover field.
You've captured some wonderful detail and the beautiful colors speak for themselves. I especially like the texture on the wings and body.
Ron

Hi John,

Thats just stunning mate, detail is spot-on, beautiful colours, wonderful light, excellent POV, really nice work, t.f.s

Cheers Rick :)

Hello John.
A beautiful butterfly!
Fine colours, very good details.
I liked of perspective and this framing.
Well done!
Cheers,
José Roberto

Hello John, perfect shot of this beauty. TFS.
Regards, Bahadır

Hi John, an excellent close-up with wonderful details. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Deniz

Hi John, a wonderful capture of this beautiful butterfly with wonderful composition. Great colours and details. Superb! Have a nice weekend!
Cheers,

Bayram
PS. My pc at home have some troubles stemning from monitor card, thus I cxould not write my comments/critigues smoothly. Sorry for this delaying:(

Hi John,
great to see this huge American fritillay in full colors. You did an excellent job, all is sharp DOF very good and the butterfly adopts a lively posture, "ready to fly off". I also like the detailed note. To think that this American species has its caterpillars on Viola, just like some European ones. Thanks for presenting it.
Best regards
Dietrich

Hi John,
I picked your fritillary, it's similar to the variegated I posted.
Natural color and well exposed with some sharp details.
Interesting POV & good framing. It may not be the the "most pretty image" as you say..
But one can't always pick the background and or environment.
Howard

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