Description: The cabbage white butterfly is an Old World species that has been accidentally introduced into North America. Likewise, the butterfly is nectaring at spotted knapweed which is an invasive weed of disturbed areas. Unfortunately, both species are fairly common to abundant across North America. Notice the pollen grains attached the the butterfly’s mouthparts. Sharpness is excellent.
Specific Feedback Requested:
Pertinent technical details or techniques:
D850 200mm f4 Micro (1/640 sec at f18, ISO 800) handheld, fill flash-2ev. Levels, crop for comp, rubber stamp tool and Gaussian blur layer used to reduce some distracting elements behind butterfly.
Is this a composite? (focus stacks or exposure blends are not considered composites)
No
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Gorgeous shot Jim. I thought I saw some noise on the wings, but then I realized that the black speckling is just natural markings. Very sharp details, and a beautiful background. I wish the out-of-focus flower on the right could be removed, just to eliminate a distraction. Overall a great capture. Nicely done!
Gorgeous! The delicate colors of the butterfly fit so well with the BG. The flower is attractive, even if it’s invasive. (Maybe we are, too??) I like the echo of the OOF one in the BG.
Nice use of Gaussian blur - I wouldn’t have guessed. So hard to get butterflies while they’re this active so great job. I don’t mind the OOF echo either. I do this deliberately sometimes, but when it works serendipitously it’s good, too. I can just imagine this little one flitting from invasive to invasive, welcoming them to foreign territory.
Jim, this is a fine look at this little guy. I didn’t even realize that they had been introduced to North America by accident. Wonderful details, excellent composition, and a nice smooth background making both flower and BF stand out nicely. Great shot.
Jim, excellent detail in both the butterfly and the knapweed. It’s been a slow butterfly year in MD, with Cabbage whites being the most abundant of the larger butterflies.
