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Let's Get it On

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted August 31, 2014175 views13 comments

Giant Swallowtail male (right side) exhibiting some classic mating behavior as he tracks the female left. When I saw this one the Marvin Gaye song just wouldn't get out of my head

There were two males pursuing this one female, have a few frames where I managed all three in focus.
F/13, 1/1600th, ISO 1250, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x @ 12:28pm.
Clear & sunny with a 5% crop.

Post Script: You may notice a very small feather on the flower. Small birds move in & around the flowers catching bugs, left behind some evidence

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on August 31, 2014 at 8:27 AM

Howard: You must have some special Giant Swallowtail magic going on at your place. I've only witnessed this behavior once so I'm envious of your multiple opportunities. This is a great capture and really good work with your long lens. Multiple thumbs up! >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on August 31, 2014 at 9:19 AM

I'd comment more on this, Howard, but I've long since run out of superlatives for your BF images. This one is outstanding with the added behavioral interest. Perfectly composed and captured.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on August 31, 2014 at 10:40 AM

I too have run out of things to say and think to myself, "they can't get any better", but they do !
Howard, you are the Master . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 31, 2014 at 11:44 AM

Great Howard! So crisp and clear, outstanding!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on August 31, 2014 at 1:19 PM

I don't know about getting it on, but you got it going on, Howard. I think it's time to open "The Howard Cheek School of Photography". Just let me know where to sign up.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on August 31, 2014 at 3:13 PM

Hi Howard

Its amazing how you capture these scenes so beautifully

The interaction here is fascinating to behold. the detail and colors are delightful as usual

Albert Darmo

Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 31, 2014 at 3:57 PM

Howard - Absolutely fantastic

PS : With this top class an action captured, I refuse to see the feather

Registered on November 1, 2003, 550 Posts, 9037 Comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on August 31, 2014 at 7:29 PM

Howard - what a great picture. Swallowtails are so hard to get 'cause the never stop fluttering. Love the 'whoa' attitude of the one on the right.

I have the 1D3 and seldom use it above ISO 400 almost never above ISO 800 due to my pathological fear of noise, but your image certainly isn't too noisy.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 31, 2014 at 7:40 PM

Hi Buck & thank you for your comment.
For this type of shooting, the higher ISO is a must as you know.
I just deal with it small increments as I process..
Starting globally in raw, then selectively as I progress..

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Yun Gao on August 31, 2014 at 10:16 PM

Howard, This is very exciting! Outstanding work!

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on September 1, 2014 at 6:41 AM

Howard

Don't know what to say about this image..... only wish this was mine.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on September 2, 2014 at 5:38 PM

Wow !! simply gorgeous and outstanding !!!

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Swathiraj G on September 8, 2014 at 9:45 PM

This is an excellent capture of BF behaviour. It is amazing if you got all three in focus. Hope it was too sunny while taking this. Beautiful BF too.

Registered on April 26, 2014, 71 Posts, 153 Comments