Monarch Nectar Treat
Garden, Manawatu, New Zealand
Garden, Manawatu, New Zealand
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Jan, 2016Views
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Chatter Award
Spring Selection Award
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in my cottage garden on a bright sunny Summer morning in the Manawatu, New Zealand.Time
This photo has always been very special to me. Monarch Butterflies were my Mother's favourite and she raised them every year. I have painted this photo in her memory as she died several years ago. I took the photo at 10.38am as the monarch settled on the bright pink echinacea (cone flower) to drink nectar.Lighting
The natural sunlight highlighted both the Monarch Butterfly and the cone flower with the shadows falling from one petal onto another. The full sunlight created a wonderful colourful shot with crisp clear detail. I love the contrast between the orange butterfly and the bright pink petals with the orange bleeding down through the red and green stamen.Equipment
This photo was taken with one of my earlier Panasonic digital cameras Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS4 and was being held in my hands. This was a smaller digital camera and one of my first.Inspiration
I believe the home garden is a wonderful place to start capturing subjects in their natural environment. Butterflies, especially monarchs have always captured my imagination and their life cycle is fascinating to watch and photograph. My mother taught me this love of monarchs and I have kept raising them in her honour and memory. When my mother died I sat crying in the garden and an old tatty monarch flew into my garden and rested on my head. I like to think this was my Mum saying goodbye. It was a very special moment.Editing
This photo has been cropped. I like the balance between the butterfly and the flower head.In my camera bag
Nowadays I carry a monopod with me at all times and my Canon Powershot SX70. I always have spare sim cards and batteries as I hate running out at that crucial moment. I find larger cameras and lens too heavy as I fatigue easily. A lens cleaning cloth is another must in the bag together with a lead to download my photos and a battery charger.Feedback
Always be at the ready to capture that special moment no matter where you find yourself. As I said earlier, your own back yard or street is often a perfect site for photography. I have a large Pohutakawa tree (New Zealand Christmas Tree) in my street which is a great lure for wildlife, birds, bees and wasps. Not everyone can travel to exotic and amazing places, however, we all have nature at our fingertips.
