Awesome macro shots!! I love all of them. I don't know if I've ever seen shots like these. They're all so good, but 2, oh my gosh, 2 is incredible. I'd make a big print of that if I were you.
edit: do you mind sharing what you use for your macro setup?
#1 elegant.
#2 Wow, if this doesn't look 3D I just bought an airbrush, I find it fascinating on how you do highlighting on water drops to add dimension..............you have given me a model to try to master. This shot has it all Birdie, anticipation of life, dimension, depth, detail color and a gorious BG bokeh and there isn't even any eye contact
#3 Absolutely fine by me, V-shape with a nice lead up to those eyes showing that special detail that you captured ever so nicely! Nice color depth
#4 another great one!
Thanks, those were fun and most enjoyable!
Karl ...Show more →
Karl, most kind words, thank you . Not only are you an artist with your photography, but also with a brush. I had no idea !
Shows the life cycle except for the egg. I like the colour and clarity of these. Don
Thank you Don. You know I looked and looked for the eggs, but never could find one that I could get a shot of. They are very small and I did not want to disturb the leaves to try and get a shot.
Fantastic set!
Keith W.
Thank you very much Keith.
You must have been a photographer in an earlier life Birdie. You have improved immensely in a short period of time. This is an excellent set ~ Ron
Ron, thank you so much. You guys are great teachers and I have learned a lot from you!
Lovely set Birdie, with #2 being a super image. Very nice.
Thank you Ken. It had just finished raining and I went out to see what things I could find with rain drops. This is the only chrysalis that is on the bush , all the others are handing under the overhang of the roof, not the best background
A very well presented post, Birdie. The images look clean and smooth with the second images being on top
To be able to see a caterpillar change itself into a chrysalis and then reappear as a beautiful butterfly is shear magic! One of the most remarkable thing in nature. An experience you'll never forget.
Monarch has a short life, two to six weeks. That is probably the first generation and they will die after laying eggs for the second generation. The fourth and last generation will migrate to Mexico and will live more than six months, until it is time to migrate back North and start again the first generation of Monarchs. Amazing!
Socrate ...Show more →
Thank you so much Socrate. I was amazed at how quickly the change from caterpillar to chrysalis occurs. I only witnessed it once and it took less than a minute. Truly amazing. The caterpillar which previously was hanging completely still starts moving in almost circular motion and the chrysalis starts forming from the bottom up . Truly amazing how quickly it happens.
I have not witnessed the "birth" of the butterfly . I have only seen them once out the chrysalis and they do stay there for quite some time (well over one hour) as the wings expand and dry.
Stunning images. Each one shows the time it took to consider the scene and photograph it in the best possible manner. The water droplets add so much to the chrysallis image and really give it such depth and dimension. I had always thought they were called Monarchs based on their colorful wings but then found out it is the gold "crown" on the chrysallis that is the genesis of their name.
Eric
Wonderful documentary work Roberta. 1 and 3 are my picks though there all great!
Morris
Morris, thank you so very much !
What an outstanding series.
Norm
Norm, thank you , glad you liked them .
Super work.
Rob
Rob, appreciate your comments, thank you.
I had a feeling this was going to be a stunning post when I saw the title and the photographer and I was not disappointed!!! Birdie, your macro work is always superb and this post demonstrates your considerable skill. Excellent set, you sure have set a high bar
Tim
Tim, your words are much appreciated but far too generous, thank you.
This is really a super set, Birdie.
They are all very well done and I love them all. Thanks for sharing.
Chris
Thank you so very much Chris !
Roberta, these are simply outstanding
Conrad, thanks for looking and appreciate your comments !
excellent images Roberta
Thank you Kenny , appreciate it.
Those are really, really nice Birdie. Cheers, Andrew
Thank you Andrew, I appreciate it.
Gadzooks! Birdie- these are off-the-chart gorgeous images.
Charlie
Charlie, you are much to kind, thank you !
these are very nice.
Thank you Jonathan!
Beautiful shots. #1 and #2 for me. That macro shot of the crysalis is amazing!
Awesome macro shots!! I love all of them. I don't know if I've ever seen shots like these. They're all so good, but 2, oh my gosh, 2 is incredible. I'd make a big print of that if I were you.
edit: do you mind sharing what you use for your macro setup?
Thank you so very much Ashley, I really appreciate your comments.
Of course I don't mind sharing --
The first 2 shots were taken with --
D300
Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR version micro
SB900 Diffused with the plastic diffuser that comes with it plus the opteka medium soft box. The flash is in the hotshoe not off camera.
On occasion I also use the kenko extension tubes, but not for these shots.
The last 2 were with the D7000 and 300mm f/4
I hope that is the information you were looking for. If not, just let me know.
Stunning images. Each one shows the time it took to consider the scene and photograph it in the best possible manner. The water droplets add so much to the chrysallis image and really give it such depth and dimension. I had always thought they were called Monarchs based on their colorful wings but then found out it is the gold "crown" on the chrysallis that is the genesis of their name.
Eric
Eric, thank you so very much. It has been very interesting and educational to watch . Thank you for the information on the crown.
Beautiful, beautiful series Birdie and I just love your compositions.
The progression is fascinating and I find myself wanting to see even more stages.
Excellent work which I thoroughly enjoyed seeing.
