Buttered Flies

[Crias]

...grow long colorful wings, but margrined flies do not!

Some of my shots from the Butterfly Pavilion (www.butterflies.org). I was disapointed to find that I could not take my tripod in so everything had to be handheld. The lighting is marginal with lots of condensation in the air. I ended up with a lot more blurry shots than I wanted! I wasn't able to get the really close macros I had hoped for due to the lighting. Darn shakey hands... These shots are all from Adara. I will post some from Orion on a later date.


The best macro I actually managed to get.

[SunnyJon]

WOW! That first one is a very different POV and a very cool macro! The rest of them are totally cool-I actually like the last one best artistically speaking. The lighting and comp are dynamite. My fave as far as butterflies is the one with the red & purple-#4. But I really like the B/W one too! Oh heck I like 'em all! I think you did great without tripod, I never use mine except for studio shots.

[Crias]

Thanks Sunny! I don't use my tripod much, but would have liked it here to get more steady shots. Some of the shots were 1/20 and lots were 1/45. With the top one I was able to brace my camera on a tree.

I think your butterfly shots were a lot better than mine!!

[tmcclary]

I admit I am a bit jealous. I have always wanted to go to a butterfly garden.

I love the transparancy of the second one's wings, like she is glowing.

[HMG]

Wow!!

What time of day did you go? These make me want to go back to my local butterfly farm and try again! I also had a problem with condensation when I went. How did you deal with it?

Holly

[MissMouse]

I love the butterfly houses. Drapier and I spent close to 4 hours in the one in New York City. It was fantastic.

[MissMouse]

oops I forgot - Nice photos .............

[Crias]

Thanks Everyone!

Holly I got there about noon and stayed until about 3 PM, but was actually told that early morning on cool days is the best time of day to see the most butterflies. More of them will be sitting with thier wings open absorbing the sun's rays. I did have to do some corrections in photoshop because of the mist, but I try to get close enough that its not a big problem. I also had to be careful that condensation didn't form between my lens and my UV filter which I always have on. It seemed like tehre were fewer butterflies this time I was there than last year, but don't know why.

[AriadneArts]

Cathy, these are wonderful. I especially like the third. Is that a Buckeye? I love the comp and the detail you got in this fellow's wings. Fabulous! I also like the fourth -- lovely color and POV-- and the last very much. I think you did great, especially considering the conditions.

Could you try a minipod perhaps? A small one would just fit in your pocket. Sometimes I balance a folded minipod against my chest and hold my breath. Or a monopod/walking stick? Tell them you need it to walk with. They probably allow folks with canes in there. Just some ideas.

The tripod is probably not allowed for safety and insurance reasons--if someone tripped over it, they might hurt themselves and/or sue the place. Thanks for the tip, too. I'll be sure not to bring my tripod when we go to our Butterfly Garden.

Thanks for sharing. I think these are beautiful.

[wandathefish]

Hey Crias,

You did fab I think pic number two would make a great work of art

[Crias]

Thanks Eileen and Wanda! Eileen the third one is called an owl butterfly (or something along those lines) because of the large eye shape on its wings. I tried to get a good macro of the wing detail...but alas they all came out a bit blurry .

I did not think of a mini tripod...good thought. They do allow monopods...but I don't have one. Another thing to add to the the wish list. I am sure tripods are not allowed due to space limitations and liability, as you said. There are lots of people in there and lots of kids running aorund.