Stages


Seeking


Resting


Anticipating

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Our first crop of Monarch caterpillars was a huge success so far. Fortunately for us the mom didn’t lay a ton of eggs so the milkweed wasn’t completely decimated and the wasps and lizards left them alone for the most part. While out on the patio this afternoon I observed the various stages of development from munching away to seeking a place to rest, resting, and then the chrysalis reposes. It usually takes about 10 days when the weather is warm for the butterfly to emerge so I’m going to have to be watching. The hatching process is incredibly fascinating so I hope to show that in the weeks to come.>=))>

Specific Feedback

These are all single capture with the old faithful macro rig. The muncher was moving around a lot so no chance at a stack. For the chrysalis and the J I had to extend my big RRS tripod to full extension and stand up on a stool to look through the viewfinder. I was able to get the camera about 8 feet off the ground. There are times when I’m humping this around that I wish I had something lighter but for this kind of stuff it really comes in handy.

Technical Details

Sony A77II
Minolta 200mm macro
ISO 400, 1/125 @ f11


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2 Likes

Fascinating series, and well photographed! I love the one where he’s hanging there waiting to spin the cocoon. Hope to see some amazing Monarchs soon. What an opportunity to set up a time lapse!!

They have been very scarce on the west coast for years.

This is really neat, Bill. It’s a great series. It’s interesting how they like the bricks to pupate on. It’s probably nicely sheltered and warm under those. Well done.

The whole process is truly amazing. And at each stage it makes for some great images. When I first started raising Monarchs, I could not believe the distance they travel to find the perfect J-Hook spot to start the metamorphoses process.
@Diane_Miller, I’m going to take a class in time lapse photography next week so hopefully I can get a good video of the whole process this summer.
Good Luck Bill.
THANKS

Nice series of shots, Bill.

An amazing series of events, Bill. The color came out very well in all images. The series tells the story very well.