This caterpillar (about 2.5cm long) was ready to pupate, so it was eating Sedum voraciously last week, as could be seen by the speed with which the “out tray” was formed. The species is Parnassius bremeri, a very beautiful butterfly which I hope to photo nicely one day in Korea.
Specific Feedback Requested
All comments welcome.
Technical Details
Is this a composite: No
D500 + 105mm macro, f18 1/100 ISO 400
Topaz Denoise. Selected BG, and lowered Highlights in PS. Added a touch of vibrance to the out tray.
Super shot! I think the whole length of the critter is in focus. Such interesting colors. Caterpillars are incredible when you think of it - they’re basically an undifferentiated bag of goo and scientists still don’t understand them completely. I hope you get to shoot the butterfly as well. Such a rich black - I like how you’ve rendered those, but some of the light spots in the bg could be toned down just a little. Funny about the out tray.
Thanks @Kris_Smith@linda_mellor@Jim_Gavin@David_Bostock for the comments. Kris, it’s fascinating, isn’t it, (though not surprising) that the larva will include in its goo the imaginal discs, sorts of blueprint, for all the later adult body parts. The wonders of nature!
