Macro Butterflies

DRT-Maverick

Here are some of my attempts at buttefly macros. Nothing like what I've seen here, but a good start!







Comments?

ysr612

I love number one that is a shot I always wanted to get.

Allen

DRT-Maverick wrote:

Here are some of my attempts at buttefly macros. Nothing like what I've seen here, but a good start!
Comments?

Hey, don't sell yourself short, these are reallly nice. I love the first one, such nice detail.
Al

Commando Botanist

DRT-Maverick wrote:

Here are some of my attempts at buttefly macros. Nothing like what I've seen here, but a good start!
Comments?

I like them all, but that first one is my favorite. *Very* cool.

The other two I like because, besides being good shots, they're two of the same species I shot this spring for the first time. Number two (Euphydryas chalcedona hennei -- Henne's Variable Checkerspot, in case you care...:D) I spotted several times in the same general area. But number three (Euchloe hyantis -- California Marble) was a total luck shot for me. I was wandering around a desert wash while a couple of my collegues changed a flat tire, and the butterfly and I happened to show up at the same place at the same time. So I'm very curious about where you captured these shots.

And yes, I'm going to post some desert botany shots, as per your request.

Cheers!

MuskyDude

Love the detail and colors, very nice!



AJ

DRT-Maverick

Commando Botanist wrote:

I like them all, but that first one is my favorite. *Very* cool.

The other two I like because, besides being good shots, they're two of the same species I shot this spring for the first time. Number two (Euphydryas chalcedona hennei -- Henne's Variable Checkerspot, in case you care...:D) I spotted several times in the same general area. But number three (Euchloe hyantis -- California Marble) was a total luck shot for me. I was wandering around a desert wash while a couple of my collegues changed a flat tire, and the butterfly and I happened to show up at the same place at the same time. So I'm very curious about where you captured these shots.

And yes, I'm going to post some desert botany shots, as per your request.

Cheers!

Yeah! I wasn't sure if it was the Chalcedon Checkerspot or the Henne's. Thanks for telling me which one it was!

I did snap one of a blue butterfly, i don't know what type it is, and it's not the greatest shot because the little bugger would land for 1 second at a time if that... Here's the image:


and


I did get some more shots of the first butterfly.

GREAPER

I think they are better than "attempts" I think they are a success. Butterlies are not easy and you have some winners here.

DRT-Maverick

Thanks Greaper!

I just want to figure out a way to get the clarity that I see in others (like seeing the different little segments of the insect's eyes). I'm using the EX 180mm Sigma lens, and occasionally (when it comes to butterflies), i use the 2x Sigma Multiplier.

Higgmeister

Hi Tyler,
I have a hunch that the clarity some are getting starts with a clear focus, and then the rest is PP. I still haven't gotten the clarity either and suspect it's my PP since the gear I'm using is quality gear.
I like your #3 shot the best, nice OOF background, but all are nice shots.

Thanks for sharing,
Chris

Commando Botanist

Lovely!

DRT-Maverick wrote:

Yeah! I wasn't sure if it was the Chalcedon Checkerspot or the Henne's. Thanks for telling me which one it was!

I did snap one of a blue butterfly, i don't know what type it is, and it's not the greatest shot because the little bugger would land for 1 second at a time if that... Here's the image:

According to one of my handy-dandy field guides, I'm going to guess that this one is a male Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa). It looks identical to me, and the guide says it's "our only blue with orange bands on both the underside fore- and hind-wings. On the upperside males are blue with no bands, females brown with orange bands." It also says the adults will take nectar from members of the mustard family, which is what your little guy is on in your photo.

Your picture is better than the one in the guide book.

The second one is a Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). I should've known that one -- there were swarms of those things were EVERYWHERE this spring!

Cheers!

Netgarden

Enjoyed looking at all of them DRT. I think they are quite nice. Loved the tongue sticking out on the first, hard to get! And the blue bflies nice also.