Checquered Blue, Scolitantides orion
Checquered Blue, Scolitantides orion
1043srbA12_05_11
Apr, 2023Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
the photo was taken at Srbsko, Czech Republic. There are only a handful of shots of this butterfly as I've only seen it three times in 15 years or longer. It's elusive, dainty and very difficult to capture. The wings glitter silver in sunlight so it flutters about like small bits of broken glass.Time
1043srbA12_05_11.jpg 3:42 pm after many failed attempts. It was fluttering about watercress in a small creek in a hidden gorge and by the time I'd be in place to shoot it, it had gone off elsewhere. Shooting something on the ground is usually difficult but shooting something landing on watercress in a creek is more difficult.Lighting
Natural light, but the problem was problem of the white cress and iridescent wings. Shooting is a learning process and today, I have far better camera and lens and probably approach the challenge differently because I know something about this butterfly's movement and possibly I have better control. Then it was ":shoot now, think later". Today it's more "think now, shoot later." So today I'd have checked the watercress for light exposure and have it set in mind. Today I would have multiple settings in mind for in light, against light, on ground, in shadow or white flower. Then maybe I had 1-2 settings in head, but frantic to shoot the rare thing. Today it's more like, I got this covered and have far more spatial orientation for variant settings.Equipment
Canon 400D with EF 100 2.8 lens - no tripod, just frustrated patience.Inspiration
rarely seen butterfly which would be nice addition to collection. quite obvious from the square eyespots a butterfly I'd only dreamt of finding and never really expected to discover. Sometimes folks make wishlists...things to do, places to see, people to meet. This little butterfly was very high on the wishlist, but way beyond reality-- sort of like having dinner with Duke Ellington or something like that. It's a sort of celebrity status insect for me. Duke Ellington wasn't quite a butterfly, but he was pretty classy man. You know you are lucky when you are able to be with such a person. You spend a week or month flying because you got to be with the Duke in his dressing room. The feeling is similar. Duke Ellington was special. You just never forget such a man, the band or experience of enjoying their company. I'd put this little butterfly on same level as the Duke. Maybe opportunity never come again. You take it when you can.Editing
spot-checking and dust removal.In my camera bag
then I carried a 400D and the EF 100 2.8 with a 1.4 extension on camera with EFS 60 2.8 and EF 35-135. Today for field work, I carry a 7D with the EFS 60 2.8 and a Canon 5D Mark III with Sigma 105 2.8 with the EF 35-135 in bad. Different 35-135 as the older one died finally, but very fortunate to have found a replacement. A couple extensions 1.4 and 2x ext, 4 batteries. Must keep to minimum weight as have a spine fracture. So 2 cameras 3 lenses and avoid much more.Feedback
Learn to recognize plants and habitats for different species. Spend time reading surveys and relevant research papers that can help to identify areas of interest and plants. Always return to same area at about the same time each year to search for current editions. Be extremely patient with yourself. Maybe I spent 4-5hours trying to capture this one butterfly and have only a few bad images, but at least I have these few from 12-15years of searching. I have hundreds of other blues, but of 16TB raw data, only 4-5 shots of this particular blue butterfly and literally many hours and possibly 150 shots for those few shots saved. Even in comparison to all those other shots of insects, it's very bad shot-- but it's also very rare shot or something I've only seen 3-4times in 15years. Things that are unusual or rare have own unique status. Take every shot possible because it might be only opportunity. The other things, you can shoot another day, but the rare thing, you must shoot when it appears and take every possible shot because it might never happen again.
