Basking Male Melissa Blue

Posted by Bryan E. Reynolds on Sun Nov 23, 2003 7:01 pm

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I figured everyone was probably getting tired of seeing jumping spiders. So, I thought I'd post a butterfly. This is a male Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa) from North Dakota. This image is the cover for the book Butterflies of North Dakota. Anyone who has photographed blues knows how tiny they are. When basking, they hold their wings at about a 45 degree angle. So I try to parallel one side or the other.

Nikon F5, Nikkor 200mm micro, SB-28 flash on flash bracket, Fugi Velvia, handheld

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by TSparger on Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:26 pm

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I love the colors. I'm not sure I like the right wing splitting the body of the butterfly in half.

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by Michael Brown on Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:27 pm

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You guys need to send some of these beauties down this way!!!

Beautiful colors shown in this butterfly, but I'm also somewhat distracted with the right wing splitting the body and the head. Maybe a slight move to the left would have helped to even things up a bit, or make it more balanced I should say.

Still, the detail shown and that color within the wings are wonderful!

Mike

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by Wil Hershberger on Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:23 am

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As you said, trying to get normal to one wing or the other is tough. I was distracted by the right wing at first but after further study I find the colors and details in the left wing to be stunning.
Great work.

[url=http://www.cricketman.blogspot.com][b]Wil Hershberger[/b][/url] | [b]NSN0025[/b]
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by Tom Whelan on Mon Nov 24, 2003 11:12 am