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'Undulation'

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted August 6, 2015164 views9 comments

Pipevine Swallowtail's flutter very quickly as they nectar, & when it's this warm they're especially active. I like the up & down, wave like motion of the wings I caught here a 'millisecond' before the BF lands..

F/10, 1/1250th, ISO 1000, Canon 5DM2, 300mm f/2.8 + 2x ext. & natural light around noon. Clear/sunny with monopod for support. Cropped from an original horizontal frame at full height.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on August 6, 2015 at 8:24 PM

What a cool, unique perspective, Howard. I've never seen a BF photographed like this before. I couldn't figure out the thumb nail, and it even took a few seconds when I opened the image. The wings are sort of an optical illusion. Terrific detail on the head, torso and legs, nice colors, and good bg. devil

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on August 6, 2015 at 9:11 PM

That's quite the pose, Howard. Fiiguring this out is quite a challenge. Given your shutter speed, it can't be wing blur but I've never seen a bf pose like that. I'm guessing that this pose has the forewings up and the rear wings down. The pose is very interesting, the sharpest part is in the bf's eyes, and the background is great, especially with the bit of pink at the top. Now I'm going to have to watch carefully to see if any of the bf's around here do something similar... sad

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on August 7, 2015 at 12:06 PM

Extraordinary image, Howard ! Like Scott, I have taken a bit of time to register what's going on here ( not absolutely sure I've got it even now !! ) Excellent sharpness in the head and foreparts and a very nice bg.

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on August 7, 2015 at 12:07 PM

WOW, how unique is this one, eh?.....I'm not sure what I'm seeing or more to the point how you obtained such a unusual perspective or sequences?..... wink

I'll admit I'm a true amateur in understanding how to setup and take an image like this, Howard. Truly mesmerizing. devil

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 7, 2015 at 12:30 PM

"I'm not sure what I'm seeing or more to the point how you obtained such a unusual perspective or sequences?"

I simply stopped the wings movement at the instant of touchdown, shooting from the front Paul.. The wings 'undulate' as it flies in a curved or 'wave' like manner. Not just simply up & down.. Anyway, that's what you're seeing. A single frame with the hindwings bowed out in exaggerated fashion for maximum stopping power enlightened . OK? crying

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

Comment posted by Ramamohan Pai on August 7, 2015 at 7:23 PM

Howard - Asbolutely stunning - Like Scott I too do not recall seeing this perspective anytime before. Kudos !

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on August 8, 2015 at 12:12 AM

Howard: Great POV on this guy. I haven't seen a pipevine swallowtail around here in a couple of years or more despite us having some prime pipevines for them to munch on. This works really well for me as is. I do wish the perch was a little sharper but so it goes. Very nicely done.>=))>

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on August 9, 2015 at 7:29 PM

Great catch on this Howard, like the billowing of sails on a sailing ship. This is a great perspective on how they use their wings to catch the air and get lift. Fantastic.