Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Baltimore Checkerspot Chrysalis

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Maryland's Eastern Shore, beside Fairlee Creek near the Chesapeake Bay
    Posts
    1,961
    Threads
    344
    Thank You Posts

    Default Baltimore Checkerspot Chrysalis

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Chrysalis: Canon PowerShot S90, hand held
    ISO 500; f/8.0, 1/250 sec.

    Hydrangea: Nikon D300 w/Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 vr micro lens, hand held
    ISO 400; f/3.5, 1/2500 sec; MM -0.67

    Standard adjustments in PS CS6.

    Yesterday, while cooling off in our swimming pool, I noticed a small but very colorful object attached to the underside of the "bricks" surrounding the pool, just a few inches above the water level. I rushed to the house, retrieved my S90, and photographed the object from the pool.

    A little subsequent web research revealed that the colorful object I photographed was in fact a Baltimore Checkerspot chrysalis. I also learned that the butterfly that will emerge from the chrysalis has become very rare in Maryland in recent years, and is considered imperiled. So I wanted to do something appropriate for this very special visitor.

    Because the pool tile and bricks surrounding the chrysalis were not sufficiently attractive to set off such a beautiful subject, I photographed some hydrangea leaves today using my D300, extracted my chrysalis onto a transparent layer using Refine Edge, and "attached" it to a leaf using Photoshop CS6.

    The final result is attached.

    By the way, I have now tethered a floating sheet of foam material beneath the chrysalis, in the hope that it will protect the emerging butterfly from the pool water.

    Your comments and suggestions are as always most welcome.

    Norm

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    2,162
    Threads
    668
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Your removal and replacement of the chrysalis is flawless. Well done. Please keep posting so we can see when and how the transformation takes place. Great image!

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very interesting natural history about this chrysalis. I agree with Mitch, your transfer to the leaf is flawless! I would consider cropping down to just above the leaf. The visually interesting stuff is the leaf and the chrysalis below it.

  4. #4
    BPN Member Cheryl Slechta's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Micanopy, Florida
    Posts
    8,383
    Threads
    841
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Norm, beautiful capture and a beautiful chrysalis. I'm so glad that you took steps to ensure survival and I hope we will get to see the transformation. I agree with Nancy that cropping the top part of the upper leaf would strengthen the composition. Your extraction is perfect
    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly" - The Little Prince

    http://tuscawillaphotographycherylslechta.zenfolio.com/

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Maryland's Eastern Shore, beside Fairlee Creek near the Chesapeake Bay
    Posts
    1,961
    Threads
    344
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Thanks everyone for your comments. The crop suggestion is greatly appreciated.

    Today, I noticed that the chrysalis had noticeably darkened, indicating that a butterfly would soon emerge. I photographed the maturing chrysalis, and the butterfly that later emerged from it. Happily, I walked the butterfly onto my finger, and transferred it to a flower, safely away from the pool. Soon the butterfly departed to explore its new environment.


    Panels showing photos of the mature chrysalis and the emergent butterfly over the chrysalis case are attached.

    Norm

  6. #6
    BPN Member Cheryl Slechta's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Micanopy, Florida
    Posts
    8,383
    Threads
    841
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Norm, I am so grateful that you spotted the chrysalis and were able to save it. The Einstein quote says it all
    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly" - The Little Prince

    http://tuscawillaphotographycherylslechta.zenfolio.com/

  7. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Maryland's Eastern Shore, beside Fairlee Creek near the Chesapeake Bay
    Posts
    1,961
    Threads
    344
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I greatly appreciate the feedback I've received on this post. And I've attached a repost that I hope adequately responds to your crop suggestions.

    Norm

  8. #8
    BPN Member Cheryl Slechta's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Micanopy, Florida
    Posts
    8,383
    Threads
    841
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Looks perfect, Norm. Thanks for sharing.
    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly" - The Little Prince

    http://tuscawillaphotographycherylslechta.zenfolio.com/

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics