The guy behind the lens

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Monarch on Ironweed

Today's image is from a visit I had to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina. This ever familiar monarch had landed on this small flower that captured my attention. I had never seen a flower quite like this before. I was particularly taken by the tubular stamens that the butterfly was exploiting for nectar. In addition, the purple and yellow coloration was such a pleasing contrast to my eye. I certainly hope this unusual contrast bring pleasure to you as well.


Monarch on Ironweed
Monarch on Ironweed

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36 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Wow - love the colours and clarity! Great capture.

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  2. UnknownJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    They may be common, but they're incredibly beautiful. Excellent photo. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. eileeninmdJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Beautiful shot of the Monarch!

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  4. VrindaJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    I find it very difficult to take shots like that, esp butterfly which is very quick and doesn't stays in a place for long.

    All I can say is great capture.


    Vrinda.

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  5. Jim CodaJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Nice color and composition John.

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  6. Chubskulit RoseJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Gorgeous shot!

    Three Horses, have a great weekend!

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  7. AlJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Excellent shot, I love the clarity and the colors.

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  8. Julie G.January 29, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Lovely image! Beautiful colors and bokeh. A most pleasing sight!

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  9. Coy HillJanuary 29, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Beautiful combination of colors John. Excellent dof give excellent subject/background seperation.

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  10. MarieJanuary 29, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Just gorgeous -- I love butterflies -- even the common ones are wonderful in their coloration.

    Visiting via Camera Critters

    Marie
    bonkersinbarnhart.com

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  11. MarvinJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Excellent shot! Capturing the Monarch on that relatively small flower with its long slender stem could not have been easy.

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    what a stunning capture!

    http://milepebbles.wordpress.com

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  13. Nellie from Beyond My GardenJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    I have great memories of Brookgreen Gardens from the early 70's
    Thanks for bringing them back.
    nellie

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  14. Amila KanchanaJanuary 30, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Brilliant shot! I agree with you about the flower,you should have taken a macro of it too.

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  15. xinexJanuary 30, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    What an amazing shot!...Christine

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  16. BlossomFlowerGirlJanuary 30, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Hi John,
    This is an awesome shot. The butterfly looks like it posed just for you. It really is amazing.
    Re visiting the shore - here at present it is 40ยบ C - what we call a "stinker".
    Thank you for visiting and enjoy your week.

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  17. WillardJanuary 30, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    One of my favorite type of subjects, John and you captured it well. I have never seen that particular flower, but we do have the Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Tiger Swallowtails here. I often find them on different varieties of thistle and on Milkweed.

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  18. Johnny NutcaseJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Oh! Excellent stuff all around! 2 great subjects into one - nice!

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  19. LizJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    love it I have some shots of butterflies. so fun to capture.

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  20. EG CameraGirlJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Wonderful shot of the monarch. Ironweed is very pretty.

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  21. Lisa January 30, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    Amazing shot. Love the DOf . Stunning.
    Thanks for your kind words. Be back in a Month or so and cant wait to catch up.

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  22. MaaikeJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    very pretty butterfly
    with great details

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  23. Gemma WisemanJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    Incredible macro of the monarch! Love the pattern detail on the wings!

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  24. Hootin AnniJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    This photo takes my breath away. such a beautiful capture.

    My Newest Watercolor Painting

    http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/2011/01/halloween-moon-in-february.html

    Have a super day!!

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  25. Secret Mom ThoughtsJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    Beautiful butterfly and shot.

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  26. SusanJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    What a stunning photograph! The color, the composition, the very cool flower, obviously the lovely monarch- everything! I love it!

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  27. ArtloverJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Not a realy macro but I like this photo after all. Very nice composed. Nice colors too. great shot.

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  28. Regina January 31, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Amazing!
    Have a great new week.

    Regina

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  29. KarenJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    It certainly is pleasing to the eye. A gorgeous capture of the butterfly, and that is such a dainty little flower.

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  30. Trish ~ ♥ ~January 31, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    great colors, it has a peaceful feel to it.

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  31. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Beautiful composition & DoF

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  32. DutchbabyFebruary 1, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Fantastic image and a joy to see in the original size. Until now, I never realized that the Monarch's jacket matches the polka dots on the wings. Very fashion forward, don't you think?

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  33. CarlettaFebruary 2, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Beautiful!
    It's hard getting those little guys to pose sometimes (in my experience). This is a great capture.

    Thanks for visiting my "Icicle Beards" earlier this week. :)
    Your photos are awesome.

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  34. Birdy OfficialFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    You have a beautiful blog. Enjoyed going through your pictures.

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  35. KaHollyFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    a crisp, clear, and stunning photograph! I had a monarch visit my property in Cape Breton last summer and I was estatic! I'd never seen one that far north before.

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  36. JanetFebruary 5, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Love this one! I live in the Butterfly Capital of Alabama so am always on the lookout for great butterfly captures.

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