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Nature's Stained Glass


Nature's Stained Glass
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-11-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Butterflies & Moths 2, Monarchs [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-11-06 3:42
Viewed: 3946
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The stained-glass effect came from the light hitting the double wings from behind.

Monarch Butterfly
Danaus plexippus

Brilliant orange-reddish wings with black veins and white spots make Monarchs easily recognizable.

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
Dave, cedryk, greghume, marhowie, scottevers7, hummingbird24, Luc, annagrace has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To marhowie: Adjustments : )manyee 1 11-06 20:17
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Critiques [Translate]

Yes, it truly looks like a stained glass, Manyee! Well composed against the almost black background. Could be even better if the overexposures on flowers were avoided. Best greetings!
Michal

Hey Manyee, nice macro.
I can see a small caterpillar, hiding from his older "friend".
Background is perfect, very nice colors but the head is out of focus.
The reflection on his wing (Flash?) is very distracting.

Nice scene.

Interesting POV, Manyee. The sun is a bit harsh, but the overall effect works, particularly with the Monarch caterpillar in the shadows.

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 503 W: 43 N: 657] (2178)
  • [2005-11-06 14:59]

Apt title! It does indeed look like a beautiful piece of stained glass.

I actually like the effect of the sun here. Without it, I don't think the picture would have that stained glass feel that makes it so perfectly titled.

Well seen and well captured!
Thanks

Hi Manyee,
An excellent back lit scene. Color and detail look great.
Well done with excellent notes!
Scott

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2150 W: 319 N: 4263] (16942)
  • [2005-11-07 7:02]

Manyee, great title, very nice effect upon the wings.

I love the monarch, and this is a very nice picture.

I like pov and composition too.

Nice shot Manyee. Good detail, color and I like this POV. Good back lit effect also. Perhaps some highlight/shadow adjustment would make it even better. Do you ever shoot in raw format? Well done & Thank You.
P.S. Did you notice the caterpillar on the flower stalk??

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2005-11-10 23:25]

Personal assessment of the photo: good. Howard made a very good ws.
Capacity of evocation in me: strong.
Strong visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you very much Manyee.

Beautiful image and unusual with the light illuminating the wings perfectly. Well seen!

Alli

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