Bell - Female Monarch Butterfly
This is a closeup of Bell. I kept the 3 monarchs that emerged in my greenhouse overnight because the weather was very damp and cold. ...
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This is a closeup of Bell. I kept the 3 monarchs that emerged in my greenhouse overnight because the weather was very damp and cold.
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iPhone SE (2nd generation)
Aperture f/1.8 ISO 32 Shutter 1/121 
Traverse City, Michigan, US
Jul, 2021Views
109
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Behind The Lens
Location
My favorite place to hang out with my camera or Iphone is my garden.Time
Morning is the best time to release my butterflies that have emerged the evening before. This gives them a chance to warm their wings and to take flight.Lighting
I will stand outside and wait until the sun is up high enough to light up the butterfly wings like stained glass. I go get them and release them when the sun is in the best position. If they have emerged and their wings have dried for 2 to 3 hours I will release them as long as it is an hour or more before the sun will set so that they will have time to find a place to roost for the evening.Equipment
I rely a lot on my Iphone. It fits in my hand and I can get really close to the butterflies. Wind always makes life more difficult for the butterflies and for me to get a great photo.Inspiration
It was a beautiful morning and she was sitting on a flower allowing the sun to warm her wings. I loved getting the details of her spots and her antennae. Unless they are the last group to hatch and to migrate south their lifetimes are very short.Editing
I try to have everything ready so that I only need to do a small amount of cropping.In my camera bag
I try to have my Iphone in my pocket. I never know when I will see an interesting but or a critter that I have never seen before. I capture in and then start going through my insect books and online to figure out what they are and what the dolFeedback
Patience, patience, patience! I have had to hold very still, stack things up to rest my camera or hand on to get the shot I want. Always be prepared for something unexpected. Nature is amazing!
