It's A Queen Sideshow
by Janet Marie
Title
It's A Queen Sideshow
Artist
Janet Marie
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Driving along 42 Forest Road, to the entrance to Cave Creek Canyon, part of the Coronado National Forest Recreation Area, in Portal, Arizona, taking in all the beauty before me.
The soaring cliffs, pocked with caves and punctuated with pinnacles, come into view well before you arrive. As I was riding along, I just had to stop, and take in this amazing view, which included this beautiful queen butterfy (Danaus gilippus) with a side view.
Although I have captured them this way before. She did pose for me with the wings fully open, a view I had not photographed before.
She was most enamored with this rubber rabbitbrush shrub (Ericameria nauseosa), full of yellow flowers. This desert flora gets its name due to the smell given off when the flowers are crushed, described as pineapple-like by some, and foul and rubbery by others.
I wonder which smell was given off for this queen butterfly, as well as the painted lady butterfly, clouded sulfur butterfly, ladybugs and other small unknown bugs.
I am sure that they could care less, it being November, and summer flowers are no more, making these vivid yellow blooms quite attractive.
By the way, I am quite nutty for butterflies (I refer to them as flutterby, as they don't stay put for long, mostly flutter by me), and I wasn't disappointed when this queen decided to give me a side~show.
It's A Queen Sideshow © 2022 Janet Marie Photography, all rights reserved.
Uploaded
July 16th, 2022
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Comments (10)
Cindy Treger
Janet, gorgeous shot. f/l
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you Cindy for your lovely comment about this surprise moment of getting to photograph a queen butterfly. Last of the season wildflowers in November, and this gorgeous butterfly was not missing a last chance to enjoy the blooms. I appreciate the fave as well.
M Spadecaller
Fastastic! Great work, Janet.
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you, Matt. It was a fantastic day indeed. The queen butterfly was most cooperative, making for what you described. I appreciate you taking notice.
Nishma Creations
Marvelous capture, Janet! L/F
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you Nishma Creations for your wonderful comment about my butterfly photography. It was an unexpected opportunity. I don't find it very easy to photograph these marvelous beauties, as they don't stay still for long.
Frank Barnitz
good selective focus on the butterfly, well done.
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you Frank, for taking notice of the shallow depth of field photography. A favorite of mine. Getting an intimate shot of a butterfly is not easy to do. They land, and take off, over and over. It's nice when they stick around for a moment or two.
Dennis Baswell
splendid image
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you Dennis. The Queen butterfly certain is that, and the wildflowers aren't too shabby either. I was glad to come across in my travels.
M Spadecaller
Superb capture, Janet. Beautiful work! Congrautions on your features.
Janet Marie replied:
Wow, Matt! Thank you for your wonderful comment. I really appreciate it. When stand in the right place, at the right time, you are bound to get beautiful, especially when it's a butterfly.
Randy Rosenberger
Bravo! You have been chosen to have your beautiful piece of artwork from your portfolio featured on the homepage of our Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery Group. It is with honor an privilege that I have chosen this particular piece of your works to be a feature on our homepage due to its striking appearance, color, composition, and simply the fact that I really like it. Congrats on your feature!
Janet Marie replied:
Randy! Always special words expressed about my work. Thank you for that and the Homepage Feature in your art group, Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery Group. I really appreciate the special recognition.
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