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"2006 third butterfly"
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Monarch Butterfly(Danaus plexippus)
The Monarch Butterfly is the king of the insect world. Even though they are small creatures, they do phenomenal things. First, they develop from tiny eggs, to a caterpillar, become a chrysalis, and finally transform into a beautiful butterfly. They migrate, traveling great distances to over winter in a temperate climate. Amazingly enough, not one butterfly makes the entire round-trip journey. Winter butterflies are sluggish and do not reproduce. In spring they return to summer homes and breed along the way. Their offspring return to the starting point.
(Danaus plexippus) is the scientific name for the Monarch Butterfly. Related species in the family are found on all continents except the Polar Regions, wherever milkweed and related plants are found. It also provides the Monarch with an intriguing form of protection, since the milkweed juices assimilated by the Monarch make it poisonous to predatory birds. The beautiful orange color of the Monarch butterfly serves to teach predators that their intended meal might be toxic. Not all milkweeds produce cardiac glycosides, therefore not all Monarchs are poisonous. However, the warning orange color serves to disguise poisonous from the non-toxic Monarch.
Class: Insecta (insects)
Order: Lepidoptera (butterflies)
Family: Danaidae (Milkweed butterfly family)
Genus: Danaus
Species: Plexippus
The female Monarch lays about 400 eggs on the underside of a separate leaves of milkweed plants. It takes the little yellow eggs about two weeks to develop. At the end of about two weeks, the eggs start to change colors from yellow to light gray. Eventually, the caterpillar's head is visible through its eggshell.
Monarch Butterflies are able to obtain energy for flying from flowers they visit as they travel northward or southward. This way, they are now ready to migrate in the fall. Monarchs are highly protected by law, Especially in California,. If you molest a Monarch in Pacific Grove, California, you will receive a $500 fine, since they are in danger of extinction.
Each Autumn, thousands of Monarch Butterflies gather in southern Canada to migrate south. Some of these butterflies travel over 2,900 kilometers, just to overwinter in places such as Michoacan, Mexico in a small town called Angangueo. Other Monarch Butterflies also overwinter in Cuba, and Pacific Grove, as well as Newark, California. In sanctuaries such as the one in Angangueo, Michoacan in Mexico there are millions of these gorgeous butterflies. From morning until about 1:00pm, they are most active. You can see them flying around and almost blocking the sky. You will hear the fascinating sound of their wings flapping. During their long flight there is a great danger from predators.
The orange markings of their wings advertise the unmistakable fact that they might be a dangerous meal.
Thanks for visiting me and thanks in advance for your comments/critiques
JC |
elefantino, dew77, jcoowanitwong, liquidsunshine, Dando, SkyF, goutham_ramesh, wallhalla15 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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Hi JC, nice colors and details in this close-up.
Great compo and usefull note.
Andrea
- dew77
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(13069) - [2006-07-16 15:13]
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Hello Jorge,
Lovely close up.I liked POV,colors,details,framing and composition a lot.
TFS...:-)
Hello Jorge,
Nice close-up of this monarch butterfly. I love this POV and compostion. Well done and TFS.
JC
Hi Jorge,
The details are nice, clear and sharp.
Good colours, lighting and exposure. DOF is spot on and the POV is good.
Well composed and nicely framed.
Thanks for posting, have a great week.
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- red45
(26975)
- [2006-07-17 3:16]
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Sorry, no time! Proper critique later!
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- Dando
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 641 W: 32 N: 791]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(3080) - [2006-07-17 5:37]
- [+]
Hi Jorge, excellent composition. The colours, detail, focus and lighting are wonderful. Very well done and TFS.
Dean.
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- osse
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 0 N: 90]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(7755) - [2006-07-17 7:18]
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Hi Jorge
Beautiful composition. Great colours, sharpnes, light and POV. Also good note
Well done Jorge
osse
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- SkyF
(8113)
- [2006-07-17 7:59]
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Hello Jorge,
very nice capture of this monarch, this buterfly bush seems to do it's job and attract the wonderful flyers. Wonderful composition, with lovely colors and great details.
TFS..Sky
Hi JC,
The colors are nice and pleasant. I like the composition too!! Great capture. you have shown that a closeup of butterfly is not the only thing that's interesting , great job once again.
TFS
Goutham
Hey Jorge - this is a great shot!
Brilliant colours, lighting and very nice bg! Great POV and composition too. I like your picture very much.
Gr.
Heinz
Good shot Jorge!!! I'm leaving myself tomorrow two England, to photograph tropical butterflies in a b. farm).
Cheers, Luís.
