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through_the_lens | all galleries >> Galleries >> Cindy Flood, USA > Giant Swallowtail
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17-AUG-2011 Cindy Flood

Giant Swallowtail

Wisconsin

I am really bummed that I was not able to capture the beauty and splendor of this creature. This was the most magnificent butterfly that I have ever seen. The wings moved as fast as a whirl-y-gig. It gave the illusion of double wings. I watched it for quite a while and it was never still. I cranked up the iso to try to stop the action so that I could capture the detail, but the magic is just not there. I would guess that this butterfly had a 5" total wing span.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 ,Panasonic G Vario f/4.0-5.6 100-300mm
1/640s f/5.0 at 100.0mm iso800 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time17-Aug-2011 11:25:51
MakePanasonic
ModelDMC-G3
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length100 mm
Exposure Time1/640 sec
Aperturef/5
ISO Equivalent800
Exposure Bias0.33
White Balance
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality
Exposure Programaperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Frank Kavanagh Photography21-Aug-2011 11:38
Well Cindy, if you are disappointed with this shot.
Then you must be one very hard lady to please, lol.
As i think it is one cracker of a shot.

But for future reference, if you can catch a butterfly without harming him.
Put him into a fridge for a few minutes, he will open his wings to heat up again once he goes outside. You will get some excellent shots, while the butterfly will be a bit chilled for a few minutes. No worse that a cool night for him.
Pete Hemington18-Aug-2011 17:21
I know just how frustrating they can be - but I've be pretty pleased with this beauty.
And you may not be that close - but its a cracking composition
hal 18-Aug-2011 00:55
Well Cindy, l can only echo what has been said.
Everything in this image is just perfect.
l can't visualize it being any better !
The standard on TTL is getting SO high !!!!
stoge17-Aug-2011 23:50
A fine job none the less! you've done wonderful!
Terry_O17-Aug-2011 23:37
Sorry, Cindy, but the Magic IS still there! Maybe not in your mind's eye,
but in mine its hard to think of how to improve this beautiful image. I fell
on the floor with awe, when I looked at this wonder! If the shot you were looking
for had been posted, I might have had passed out!
Guest 17-Aug-2011 21:51
It's hard to imagine it getting better than this... everything about this shot works for me. Sure wish you had been able to capture your vision.
Guest 17-Aug-2011 19:07
It looks pretty special to me... with the flowers and colors you got good detail and a good pose.