monarch on orange
This is the first time I was able to capture a monarch butterfly on an orange flower. I love the orange on orange.
This is the first time I was able to capture a monarch butterfly on an orange flower. I love the orange on orange.
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iPhone SE (2nd generation)
Aperture f/1.8 ISO 20 Shutter 1/1143 Focal Length 4/1 
Traverse City, Michigan, US
Oct, 2020Views
380
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Spring 21 Award
Winter Award 2020
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in my butterfly garden. My grandson got me started finding monarch eggs and raising them through their 5 instars, watching them pupate, watching them emerge from their chrysalides, and then releasing them in my garden. My garden contains three kinds of milkweed and many nectar producing flowers.Time
This was at noon on September 29, 2020. Raising the late butterflies is always nerve wracking. I want to give them the best possible chance of flying free and joining the migration to Mexico. It was a beautiful day. He crawled off my finger and onto to bright orange Mexican sunflower. It gives him the chance to warm his wings and to feed before he begins the long journey. These butterflies are the most beautiful delicate creatures that I get to observe, love, and set free. They mean a lot to me.Lighting
Lighting for butterfly releases can be very tricky. I waited for an hour for the sun to get in the right position one time so that I could photograph 3 butterflies that I had kept in overnight due to bad weather. I was so lucky this day that there was not a lot of wind, the sun was over my shoulder, and the monarch was willing to warm his wings so I could take many photos. Many times they fly off as soon as I get them on a flower.Equipment
Since these monarch captures may last a second or several minutes I tend to use my iPhone SE. I always have it in my pocket and can capture a lot of photos. I have tried setting up for photos with tripod and other items to only have the butterfly leave my hand and head directly for the top of a tree. My phone gives me a lot of quick options.Inspiration
I had taken many monarch photos most of them on pink or yellow flowers. I saw this Mexican sunflower and was so happy that it had just blossomed and was as fresh and new as my butterfly. This and the others I took that day were the only ones I have that are orange on orange.Editing
This did not take much processing. The beauty of the monarch butterfly and the flower were perfect. All I did was crop it to make them both stars of the photo.In my camera bag
I keep a set of macro lens for my Samsung NX100. I have wrist and hand issues so l like something I can hold and not drop. I also am a fan of lens cleaner. Besides my 20 - 50 lens, I also keep my 50 - 200. These seem to cover my shooting needs.Feedback
Find something that you truly love and want to document everything about it. I have sat holding my camera at the ready for a caterpillar to finally pupate and do his pupa dance. I have also sat for an hour or more waiting for the chrysalis to get that tiny little tear in it and to be there for the moment when the brand new butterfly drops down and begins swiveling back and forth while it tries to keep a strong grip on the now shredded clear chrysalis. For a butterfly, this is the riskiest moment. If they fall and cannot climb up on anything they will never be able to pump their wings full of fluid and will never be able to fly. I have been there when a couple of mine needed assistance getting on a stick or ribbon they could hold onto and climb. For me, getting to take part in this magical metamorphosis NEVER GET OLD. I am already excited about getting my gardens ready, opening up my greenhouse, and getting the aquariums and critter cages clean and ready for new eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalides. I have an amazing life.
