A Monarch Butterfly Unfolds

After Monday’s post when we had a handful of Monarch butterflies hatch all at once, and I told you I had to make a crazy mad dash for my camera, I have another ‘photographer be prepared’ lesson to pass on.

Can I set the scene for you? We had a single cocoon suspended from the bannister of our deck. How the brave and fearless caterpillar managed to get so far is astonishing. Check out the short 30 second video as the camera view moves from the large leaves of the Comfrey plant (where most of the cocoons ended up) up to the small cocoon!!

It hatched suddenly cat dad Paul alerted me and I grabbed my camera. It had my 55-250mm lens still on from Monday’s Monarch excitement and I started to shoot images.

But I was not 100% happy. As you can see from the first capture, not too bad but I felt the shots would not be as sharp as I hoped. What to do? Then I remembered my 50 mm (aka nifty fifty) lens was sat close by on the dining table so I moved carefully way from the hatching butterfly and dashed to fit the smaller lens to my camera. I was camera prepared but needed to change my lens so never be afraid to do this if you can.

• Introduction to the Nifty Fifty 50 mm Lens

With the smaller lens in place I was getting much better focus and felt confident moving a bit closer as the Monarch butterfly began to carefully dry out its wings. I captured the slightly crumpled, damp feel of the wings as they unfolded. The untidy curls and folds slowly straightened and the pale underside of the wings became more visible.

As the butterfly held on to the last of its dried out chrysalis, the vivid top side of the wings became clearer, You can see how the breeze has ruffled the wings so they fold slowly open and it got ready to fly.

Changing a Camera Lens Tip

Do this as quickly and carefully as you can in a dust free area. I handled both lenses with care and removed my 55 – 250mm lens then put the protective cap on the back and carefully removed the 50 mm back cap and aligned the red dots then firmly screwed in the lens so it was secure.

• Here is a comprehensive post by Photography Life that goes into detail about changing lenses.

Finally, a Monarch in all its glory!

Smartphone Tip: Remember, even a smartphone lens needs checking.

If you move in close your ‘phone might change the lens for you but if there is a smudge on your lens you risk losing a great shot.

The Last of the Season?

I ‘think’ this may be the last of the Monarch appearances. The family’s last sighting flew off into the pouring rain and had to make an immediate dash for shelter. It seems to have survived the rainstorm as it had disappeared from its bush the following day.

I wondered how butterflies cope in the rain and read up online that they find the nearest big leaves and hide underneath until it stops. [Unfortunately most of the sites sharing how butterflies shelter are so ad heavy I cannot recommend them].