Queen of Spain Fritillary --- Spain

[Gottshotz]

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

This stunning butterfly is relatively common throughout the mountainous areas of the continent , especially in late summer. The silver reflective spots on the underside are very distinctive and in this shot have reflected a single ray of sunshine that happened to hit the right spot, in an otherwise cloudy day. Unfortunately, most butterflies are very hard to focus stack successfully and the out of focus areas at the butterfly's rear end illustrate the problem. However, I intend to experiment with the new Z7ll to see if I can improve my hit rate with these skittish insects.
D750 and Nikkor micro 105mm. plus 1.4tc at 150mm. f5, ISO 250, 1/1600 Sec., handheld.

 

[Cristobal]

Very nice! I like the simplicity of the composition, allowinging me to focus only on the butterfly details.

 

[Gottshotz]

Very nice! I like the simplicity of the composition, allowinging me to focus only on the butterfly details.

Thanks Cristobal, it's very unusual to get such an uncluttered background .

 

[birdied]

Beautiful shot!

 

[Icarus]

Really nice capture. You have the important parts plenty sharp! Also the silver on wings is similar to the Gulf Fritillary here in the US.

 

[Gottshotz]

Beautiful shot!

Thanks Birdie, a real contrast of light and dark !

 

[Gottshotz]

Really nice capture. You have the important parts plenty sharp! Also the silver on wings is similar to the Gulf Fritillary here in the US.

Thanks Icarus, interesting how many insects on different continents have evolved similar markings.

 

[MikeA]

Perfect shot

 

[Gottshotz]

Perfect shot

Thanks Mike, the dark background made all the difference !

 

[gordon_g]

Great shot...David! Wonderful background

 

[Gottshotz]

Great shot...David! Wonderful background

Thanks Gordon I knew you'd like this the minute I posted it --- spooky or what !

 

[Harry.G]

Beautiful shot David, and I see what you mean about the out of focus areas ie rear body ,antennae etc - Question ..Would it really be possible to focus stack a Butterfly ? the way they flit about all over the place would make for a very tricky subject to try and focus stack I`d imagine ...

Good luck if you`re intending to try that with the butterfly ,i`ll look forward to seeing the results


Harry.G

 

[Gottshotz]

Beautiful shot David, and I see what you mean about the out of focus areas ie rear body ,antennae etc - Question ..Would it really be possible to focus stack a Butterfly ? the way they flit about all over the place would make for a very tricky subject to try and focus stack I`d imagine ...

Good luck if you`re intending to try that with the butterfly ,i`ll look forward to seeing the results


Harry.G

Thanks Harry and basically yes, I think that unless the butterfly is "sunbathing" it is almost always making minute repositioning movements , especially when feeding through their proboscis. Additionally, you have the chance of small air currents disturbing the flower head they are sitting on --- getting set up on a tripod ( almost obligatory for focus stacking) is usually impractical with these insects.

 

[Yezdi]

Stunning shot David...

 

[Gongster]

Super sharp photo.

 

[Tadzio]

Excellent capture

 

[Gottshotz]

Super sharp photo.

Thanks Mike it's certainly a spectacular butterfly !

 

[Gottshotz]

Excellent capture

Thanks Tadzio, the dark background made this shot work well.

 

[Gottshotz]

Stunning shot David...

Thanks Yezdi, a real glitzy christmas butterfly !

 

[Irap]

Beauiful image

 

[Mr F Stop.]

View attachment 10366

This stunning butterfly is relatively common throughout the mountainous areas of the continent , especially in late summer. The silver reflective spots on the underside are very distinctive and in this shot have reflected a single ray of sunshine that happened to hit the right spot, in an otherwise cloudy day. Unfortunately, most butterflies are very hard to focus stack successfully and the out of focus areas at the butterfly's rear end illustrate the problem. However, I intend to experiment with the new Z7ll to see if I can improve my hit rate with these skittish insects.
D750 and Nikkor micro 105mm. plus 1.4tc at 150mm. f5, ISO 250, 1/1600 Sec., handheld.

As you would say "that's a cracker" Hand held.........magnificent!

 

[Gottshotz]

Beauiful image

Thanks Irap, if you can get the right light hitting these reflective scales, the whole perspective changes --- I've seen it best in the Amazon with Morpho butterflies, but they are very difficult to capture in flight when the reflective upper surface of the forewings are in full sunlight !

 

[Gottshotz]

As you would say "that's a cracker" Hand held.........magnificent!

Thanks F Stop --- haven't heard that phrase or indeed "its the way I tell em" for years --Frank Carson, very refreshing !

 

[Andre Cruz]

View attachment 10366

This stunning butterfly is relatively common throughout the mountainous areas of the continent , especially in late summer. The silver reflective spots on the underside are very distinctive and in this shot have reflected a single ray of sunshine that happened to hit the right spot, in an otherwise cloudy day. Unfortunately, most butterflies are very hard to focus stack successfully and the out of focus areas at the butterfly's rear end illustrate the problem. However, I intend to experiment with the new Z7ll to see if I can improve my hit rate with these skittish insects.
D750 and Nikkor micro 105mm. plus 1.4tc at 150mm. f5, ISO 250, 1/1600 Sec., handheld.

Very Nice Capture!

 

[Gottshotz]

Very Nice Capture!

Thanks Andre, appreciate your kind comment.