jessicamyscofski

Which end is which?

I found this monarch caterpillar slowly inching his way along the underside of this milkweed leaf near Boulder, Colorado - the only one this year. ...
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I found this monarch caterpillar slowly inching his way along the underside of this milkweed leaf near Boulder, Colorado - the only one this year.
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X-Pro2

Aperture f/5.6 ISO 200 Shutter 1/160 Focal Length 1161/10

upload_date

Oct, 2019

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo on a trail near my home in Boulder, Colorado. The terrain along the trail is thick with trees and undergrowth, so it feels much more remote than it is.

Time

I was out for a walk mid-morning one day in August. By then the temperature was starting to rise, and I was thinking of heading home when I saw this caterpillar.

Lighting

I only used natural lighting for this shot. It was a sunny summer day, but under the big cottonwood trees on this trail, it gets fairly dark. I had to raise my exposure at the time and also in post-processing, especially since the caterpillar was doing such a good job of hiding under the leaf.

Equipment

I used a Fujifilm X-Pro2 with 18-135mm zoom. No flash, and I didn't have a tripod with me. It's a good thing caterpillars move slowly!

Inspiration

I had been looking for monarch caterpillars or adults all summer, particularly checking any milkweed plants because they are a monarch caterpillar's exclusive food source. Finding this caterpillar was a stroke of luck, given its hiding place. It was also the only one I found that year, despite an abundance of milkweed. I wanted to show the fragility of this important species in this photo.

Editing

I did some minimal processing to raise the overall exposure without completely losing the highlights in the background bokeh. I also love nature shots in black and white, and it seemed fitting in this case. It takes the caterpillar out of its normal environment, in keeping with the environmental dangers monarchs are facing. I also liked the angle of this shot, as it places the caterpillar against the dappled light coming from above.

In my camera bag

I chose Fujifilm partly because of its compact camera bodies. Having a petite frame, I don't want to lug around a huge amount of equipment. In keeping with that philosophy, I often go out with just the X-Pro2 and one lens. The XF 18-135 zoom is an easy choice, since it can do just about anything. I also love to experiment with adapted vintage lenses on the X-Pro, such as my 50mm Takumar. Fujifilm's film simulations work perfectly with the Takumar's shallow depth of field for unique close-up shots.

Feedback

Pay attention to all the details. Know the different butterfly species that are common for your area and the times when you might see them in different stages. Knowing which plants certain species prefer can make it easier to prepare. If you specifically want to see monarchs, you'll need a healthy supply of milkweed, and plenty of patience. Learn from my mistake and bring along a tripod, since that makes macro so much easier!

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jessicamyscofski

jessicamyscofski

Which end is which?

I found this monarch caterpillar slowly inching his way along the underside of this milkweed leaf near Boulder, Colorado - the only one this year. ... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow jessicamyscofski

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I found this monarch caterpillar slowly inching his way along the underside of this milkweed leaf near Boulder, Colorado - the only one this year. ...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.