A bigger version can be found at "http://pessoal.mandic.com.br/ledarosa/BigCouple.JPG".

Taken in the late afternoon with a Elan II + 100 mm Macro + Fill Flash on Ectachrome 64.

The title is Ingrid's contribution. She my 7 year old daughter.

-- Jan van Bodegraven (janvnbdg@mandic.com.br), August 13, 1998

Answers

This is a great photo, especially for the scientific illustration of crypsis. Everything is in focus, lighting is good and the two moths are distinct after you have found them.

-- Adam Liedloff (a.liedloff@qut.edu.au), August 13, 1998.

Superb! I love it!

-- (andreas@physio.unr.edu), August 14, 1998.

Superb! Could be an illustration for a scientific article, as well as an artwork...

-- Jana Mullerova (jam@terma.com), August 14, 1998.

I'm no entomologist, but I believe these are butterflies. It is a nice photography - I'd blow a roll of film on this too. I don't mind that one specimen is imperfect, but some people couldn't resist picking that nit. I think that imperfection makes it a more interesting nature photograph. It's impossible to tell from the monitor, but if it's truely sharp I'm sure the original is impressive. Is the image posted in the correct orientation? Pete

-- Pete Dickson (dickson.pn@pg.com), August 14, 1998.

I love picture, but to me it would look better if the butterflies were pointed up (picture rotated 180 deg).

-- Larry Korhnak (lvk@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu), August 14, 1998.

Thanks for your answers, yes this is the original orientation, this specie always hangs up side down.

-- Jan van Bodegraven (janvnbdg@mandic.com.br), August 14, 1998.

well, jan, i certainly agree that this is an excellent example of focus and metering. however, i must say that the image is rather lacking in impact. please do not be offended. just my opinion.

wayne harrison

-- wayne harrison (wayno@netmcr.com), August 14, 1998.

Low in impact??? I can't get this image out of my mind. I always find the most significant pictures are the ones that don't elicit immediate "aaahs" and "ooohs" just by virtue of brilliant colors (typical example: sunset with glowing red clouds - have seen hundreds of them).

-- (andreas@physio.unr.edu), August 14, 1998.

I used to collect butterflies and moths in my childhood in Central America. These babies hung around the orange trees and I was always amazed at how they blended into the woodwork. You want to emphsize that ability in a photo, and you did. I think that the flat plane makes it possible to capture a sharp shot, and the butterflies often are still due their nature of remaining motionless and relying on their camoflage. Thanks for reminding me of them. CC Davis

-- C C Davis (ccfutbol@aol.com), August 14, 1998.

I too think it is a great nature picture, since it makes you marvel at nature. But I'm curious because it looks like the left butterfly has a bite taken out of the back of it when compared to the other? Is that possible or are they just different sexes?

-- Preston Holmes (pholmes@ucsd.edu), August 16, 1998.

Preston, I think you're right. The perfectly symmetrical damage on right and left hindwings is probably due to a failed predation attempt, likely by a bird. There's similar damage in another post that is currently up, "Early morning butterfly". Jan, this is a beautiful shot. The beautiful detail in the wood background is a key element in making this photo work for me. I agree that the delayed impact from suddenly spotting the two animals is a powerful effect. Excellent work.

-- Peter May (peter.may@stetson.edu), August 18, 1998.