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Monarch butterfly chrysalis, eclosure

OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,LTD C3000Z

settings

Aperture 4/1 ISO 400 Shutter 1/80 Focal Length 163/5

location

New Mexico, US

upload_date

Apr, 2020

Views

Likes

Awards

Hidden Gem Award

Celebrity Award

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

Peer Award

Superb Composition

Magnificent Capture

Virtuoso

Emotions

Impressed

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in the greenhouse of my then home at the Mimbres Hot springs Ranch near Silver City, NM.

Time

I believe it was in the early afternoon. I’d been monitoring and photographing the chrysalis for a couple of weeks. I knew it’s time of eclosure (opening) was imminent because the casing was nearly clear. This day when I went in to check on it, its trap door popped open as soon as I shone a light on it. I had no choice but to drop to my knees (painful because of my disabilities) and remain so for the next half hour of witnessing and documenting this miraculous process! Once the emerged adult butterfly had flown to a fig tree in the greenhouse, I was free to drag myself up to a standing position and massage my poor knees a bit before I followed this amazing creature for more photos in the greenhouse and then outside, for a few parting shots among the asters before it took off for Mexico. The pain was so worth it!

Lighting

I just used a simple small desk lamp with a gooseneck, which allowed me to aim the light onto the emerging butterfly.

Equipment

This was shot using an Olympus Camedia C3000Z camera. No fancy lens and no tripod.

Inspiration

I’d been hoping for the opportunity to photograph the chrysalis’s eclosure as soon as I discovered that the caterpillar in my terrarium had undergone its transformation and was suspended from the terrarium lid.

Editing

No.

In my camera bag

I had a miniature telescoping tripod that fit in the bag with the camera. Those were the only things I carried with me.

Feedback

Monitor your subject frequently, be ready to spend as long as it takes to capture the unfolding transformation, and have the patience to let nature take its course as you bear witness to the magic.

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elenlinaewenfreelander

elenlinaewenfreelander

Monarch butterfly chrysalis, eclosure

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow elenlinaewenfreelander

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