Guava Skipper


Posted by Craig Lipski on Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:50 am

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Guava Skipper
Phocides polybius

National Butterfly Center
Mission, TX

Their larval food is Guava, which is not native to the U.S, but some are grown, (mainly as ornamentals,) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, so occasionally we get a skipper.  In the Swift Field Guide, Dr. Galssberg says something along the lines of, "a skipper even skipper-phobes can't skip".  I wanted to work this one some more, but my attention brought in the hordes of cell-phone shooters.  I also considered cleaning up the wings, but didn't.

5DIV
100-400 4.5-5.6 II @400, 36mm extension
f/13, 1/80
Eval +.33
iso 800
Natural light, hand held

Comments and suggestions always welcome.

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by Bruce Sherman on Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:53 pm
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Terrific shot, Craig. This is one I have yet to see.

One comment (only my opinion): The location of the butterfly in the image just doesn't look right to me. Too much empty space on the left. I would put the butterfly a wee bit higher and farther left.
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by Craig Lipski on Sun Jan 13, 2019 1:09 pm
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Thanks, Bruce.
I agree there’s some “dead space” there, but with the bug already angled slightly away from me, and with him facing slightly left, along with the flow of stems, this appeals more to me than a more centered comp.  To each his own, I guess.  I also considered a portrait comp, but don’t have the canvas above.  I appreciate your input!
 

by Tom Whelan on Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:48 pm
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Fine image of a superb skipper - the butterfly looks great against the flowers in the background. I agree that there's too much open space on the left. A vertical might have worked.
Tom

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by Yun Gao on Sun Jan 13, 2019 7:15 pm
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Very pretty skipper. I like the way the orange red spots on the butterfly match the orange flower. Great exposure on the dark and orange colors.
 

by Matthew Pugh on Tue Jan 15, 2019 8:32 am
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Hi

A lovely looking butterfly and always nice to capture a rare one on film - and such a nice image too

All the best
Matthew
 

by Carol Clarke on Wed Jan 16, 2019 6:45 pm
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Gorgeous image, Craig! Amazing colours and beautiful detail. I love it as presented.

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by andre paul on Wed Jan 16, 2019 7:12 pm
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excelent exposure.
colours are great !
nice subject!
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by rhighercat on Wed Jan 16, 2019 7:28 pm
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Very nice image. Great colors and details. Love the colors of both the skipper and the flowers. I don't mind the space on left. Not much can be done with the open space as cropping brings the wing tip too close to the edge and still leaves open space around the wings.
 

by Craig Lipski on Wed Jan 16, 2019 9:42 pm
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Thanks for the thoughts and kind words, all!
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Thu Jan 17, 2019 5:08 pm
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Stunning shot- love how the red/orange colors match from the flowers to the butterfly. Congrats on your EP!
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by dissent on Thu Jan 17, 2019 6:18 pm
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What a beautiful specimen!
 

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