Queen Butterfly by CavalierLady
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Description
When I saw this butterfly yesterday, I thought I was seeing the endangered Monarch butterfly. But further research proves this is actually a Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus). They are tropical butterflies found in Central and South America. They can also be found in the extreme southern states like Florida and Texas. Like the Viceroy and Soldier Butterfly, it mimics the coloring of the Monarch and also feeds on milkweed, among other plants, which makes it distasteful to predators.
I hurried to get a dozen blurry shots before it left, in very windy conditions, which is the bane of macro photography. The only clear shots were so badly backlit into the late afternoon sun, that the sky was white and the butterfly nearly black. I have fiddled with it and tried to rescue the image as best I could. I apologize for the lack of quality, but I've never seen a Queen before, so I just had to try.
Better in zoom. Thank you very kindly for your recent views and comments.
Comments (18)
kenmo
Wow...impressive macro scene....
miwi
Beautiful capture,klasse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Juliette.Gribnau
beautiful compo; colors and focus
photosynthesis
A fine shot, considering the difficult circumstances. I probably would have mistaken this for a monarch also...
bodo_56
Seeing the thumbnail i thought this must be a VUE-Render or such ... You did a brillant job on this capture, i love the colors and composition!
kaward
You have done an amazing job of the rescue! Macro and wind are true enemies! I thought Monarch too at first sight!
kgb224
Amazing work and oi was fooled as well Maria. I would also have said it is a Monarch. So this is a special catch for you even though it is not as good as you wanted it to be. It is still an amazing find and capture. God bless.
Adobe_One_Kenobi
I know exactly what you mean here Tex. If you had gone the other side, you are then in your own light, macro necessitates getting close, and means lighting difficulties. Great rescue job here, I can see from the exif that this was indeed silhouetted. Great job!!!!
jayfar
This is a fantastic image Maria and one that can be viewed any way up !!
prutzworks
very nice close up
DennisReed
lovely
Richardphotos
I may have seen one without knowing what it was. outstanding save. never seems to fail when I go out to take flower shots the wind will blow
durleybeachbum
Well I would never have guessed you had all that trouble, the result is great!
MrsRatbag
You did well! What a beauty!
danapommet
She is delightful Maria and outstanding postwork!
sharky_
Wonderful capture! Aloha
goodoleboy
Say now, Maria, you did a mighty fine job of photography and postwork in this shot of the loverly Queen Butterfly, considering the adverse conditions you were subject to. I like the subtle colors and backlighting in this.
irisinthespring
Beautiful capture, love it!