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Birdwings swallowtail
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Birdwings swallowtail

by Gary Yeoh

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted August 10, 20117,342 views7 comments
This is the other BF which is new to my photo collection from last week's shoot at the BF reserve. The birdwings (Troides helena) is one of the largest butterfly in HK with wingspan of over 8 inches. It is a fast flyer and resembles a bird in flight. This is a female which has an additional row of black markings in her hindwings.

This encounter lasted only for about 1 minute and I did not have a good angle and the vegetation was rather thick. I have darkened and selectively blurred the bg to make the bf stand out.

D90 105mm f2.8 1/1600sec HH. Thanks for viewing and C&C appreciated.

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Adam Seward on August 10, 2011 at 8:27 AM
You've done well to capture this, I know they aren't easy. Its a nice shot. Seem to be some odd edge artefacts on the flowers to the bottom left of the butterfly though - I guess to do with the selective blurring.
Registered on October 18, 2007, 6 Posts, 14 Comments
Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on August 10, 2011 at 12:01 PM
And it stands out alright - lovely shot, very crisp, beautiful butterfly!
Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on August 10, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Very impressive subject and photo. For the web, I'd be tempted to crop from the top and left side (maybe a little off the right too) to focus on the BF and the pretty flowers on which its perched, but that would be an alternative image. The BG in this image nicely shows the BF in its environment.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on August 10, 2011 at 11:47 PM
I like the setting very much. The focus on the butterfly is right on and the colors really pop. Fine image.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on August 11, 2011 at 4:09 PM
What a beautiful BF! Great DOF of field focus on the butterfly. I like the pose of the butterfly but I do agree with Scott's suggestion for a crop; off the left and top plus a small amount on the right. That would emphasize the butterfly and flowers more IMO. Wow, 8" wingspan is a big butterfly! Would love to see one. Great capture, Gary!
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Roger Leekam on August 17, 2011 at 7:14 AM
Gary, really gorgeous color overall & excellent detail in the butterfly.
Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 16, 2011 at 12:47 PM
A beauty, Gary. :toast:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments