The Second Time Around
Uploaded: June 07, 2010
Free from her chrysalis only 5 hours previously, this beautiful and dainty Painted Lady butterfly was the last to emerge from her cocoon from the 13 caterpillars given to me by a wonderful and thoughtful friend who knew I had never witnessed this amazing process from beginning to end. And it was truly an amazing experience. Unlike her 12 other brothers and sisters already scattered to the four winds, this little beauty took her time leaving my yard but with her wings finally dry, she slowly lifted off the flower and floated up and over our backyard fence ..and took a bit of my heart with her...I'm feeling a bit like an "empty-nester" right about now! :)
Exif: F Number: 9, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/25 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 250, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D
Maria A. Gonzalez June 07, 2010
A beautiful capture of one of your babies,Valerie...The lighting is beautiful so are the colors..Excellent detail and composition..Isn't wonderful to be able to see the transformation of these beautiful and loved creatures...It is like magic and such an incredible experience...Douglas Pignet June 07, 2010
Everything about this image is there, right light,colors and comp. Very well done #8670709Ellen Hodges June 07, 2010
Exquisite capture, Val! The detail and beauty are extremely beautiful!! Have a great Monday! Nice story, too! #8670723Anita Hogue June 07, 2010
WOW, she's gorgeous! #8670737Patricia Seidler June 07, 2010
What a beauty Valarie. Terrific color, lighting and incredible detail. Your narrative is also a masterpiece. Im sure we will see this one again. #8670753Jeff Robinson June 07, 2010
A wonderful capture and experience Valarie! Thanks for sharing it with us! Jeff #8670777Robert R. Goodman June 07, 2010
Hi Valarie,Those little butterflies seem to be everywhere.We have a lot of them out here.Beautiful capture my friend.Wonderful lighting and deail!!! #8670781Melissa Olsen June 07, 2010
Well, this is a winner if I ever saw one. Totally amazing! #8670904Patti Coblentz June 07, 2010
I am in total agreement with Melissa!Patti #8670972
Husain Akhtar June 07, 2010
Excellent record of life - outstanding capture! #8670986Linda D. Lester June 07, 2010
This is a winner if I have ever seen one.....what a beauty!!! #8671030Gina Cormier June 07, 2010
<----grovel.....grovel....grovel.....Exquisite presentation of this beautiful butterfly and floral. I love the soft color and tones to this one. I too was given some cocoons last year and we had so much fun watching them. We let the monarch butterflies emerge in my gazebo with the screens down. Then when they were ready, we opened and let them fly out. Only one stayed behind and I left her there until she wanted to leave. So cool!!!!! :-) #8671233
Ron McEwan June 07, 2010
Stunningly beautiful Val and the narrative is special well done in every way. #8671263Julianne Bradford June 07, 2010
Truely exquisite capture of this beauty Valarie! I'm sure she'll flit back sometime, but you have captured her forever to share with everyone. What an act of love :-) Thanks! #8671396Leslie McLain June 07, 2010
Amazing capture. #8671460Rony Sagy June 07, 2010
Totally agree. This is no doubt a fantastic winner. What a spectacular capture and wonderful story. It really touched my heart. #8671495Kathy Salerni June 07, 2010
What a wonderful story, Val! The clarity and details on this butterfly are stunning! I love the way you can see all the upper body hairs! Great job on this! #8671538Kerry Hill June 07, 2010
So beautiful Valarie! What a fantastic natures wonder to watch! #8671699Gord MacEachern June 07, 2010
Isn't nature beautiful Valarie, and you captured a fabulous result of ma nature at her finest.Carol L. Fowler June 07, 2010
Be strong, Mom. They will remember you and perhaps return with broods of their own! Beautiful capture, indeed. #8673032Karen Engelbreth June 07, 2010
Wonderful image and story, Valarie... #8673114Tammy Espino June 07, 2010
What a wonderful story and capture! #8674085Carol Eade June 07, 2010
Beautifully captured, Valarie, the colors are so perfect! #8674567Barbara Waldoch June 08, 2010
Beautiful shot, Valarie!Val Feldman June 08, 2010
Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments on this pretty little lady...I appreciate! ~Val #8678096Dianna Murphy June 08, 2010
What a great story and how sad to see her go, maybe she'll return. I know this image will return next month in the finals! #8679429Val Feldman June 09, 2010
Thanks so much, Dianna! #8682078Ruth E. Foster-Lindsay June 09, 2010
Wow Valarie! Beautiful capture! The colors are so gorgeous it looks like a painting! What a wonderful gift from your friend! #8682880Val Feldman June 09, 2010
Ruth, you're a sweetie! Thank you! #8683012Julie Burnett June 11, 2010
Val, you amaze me with your talent. Perfectly composed with excellent clarity, a sure winner, and what a wonderful story!! #8687913Marty Straub June 11, 2010
Wonderful story and a very special capture, Valarie. Your inner beauty is written all over both. #8688329Daniella Puente June 11, 2010
Beautiful Valarie... #8688932Nadia Paul June 11, 2010
How very beautiful and special Valarie - wonderful image! #8689608Val Feldman June 12, 2010
Thanks so much Daniella, Julie, Marty and Nadia for stopping by and commenting - much appreciated!! #8691385Ann H. Belus June 19, 2010
Exceptional detail and clarity captured here, Val...this is really beautiful! Thanks for the story too, I can more fully appreciate these amazing creatures. #8705008Val Feldman June 25, 2010
Thanks, Ann! #8716227Tammy Espino January 24, 2012
Congrats on your awesome finalist!! :) I see gold ~ Good luck next round my friend!! #9939848Deborah Lewinson January 24, 2012
Beautiful and excellent finalist, Val!Congratulations!
Debby #9939933
Kathy Salerni January 24, 2012
Huge congrats on your well deserved Finalist, Val! #9940176Karen Bacon January 24, 2012
A huge congratulations on this excellent finalist Val!Good luck in the next round and hope to see this wearing gold! #9940398Don Christiana January 24, 2012
How did I miss the beautiful entry? Val, a big CONGRATS on your Finalist and yes...we will see this in the winners circle. Have a great day. #9940735Tammy M. Anderson January 24, 2012
A perfect finalist, Val. #9940978Emile Abbott January 24, 2012
OH Val I only missed this due to December. What an awesome finalist my Texas friend. Congrats. #9941234Renee Doyle January 24, 2012
Awesome!! Congratulations Val! #9941317Phyllis A. Houghton January 24, 2012
Congratulations on your finalist, Val. What beautiful detail. #9941394Lorna Shutter January 24, 2012
Woo Hoo!!! WTG, MS. VAL!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved Finalist Award!!!!! Good luck in the next round!!! :)Patrick Rouzes January 24, 2012
Hey, Val, Congratulations & good luck on this amazing Finalist! WTG, my friend! That's me dancing! #9941533Cheryl Winn January 24, 2012
Amazing capture, Val! Exquisite! #9941866Lorna Shutter January 24, 2012
Yep, I taught Patrick everything I know! LOL! :D #9941907Robert R. Goodman January 24, 2012
Hi Valarie,Congratulations on this beautiful finalist!!! #9941998Chris Budny January 24, 2012
Nicely done! Congratulations! #9942049JO ANN CLEVELAND January 24, 2012
Congratulations on this outstanding finalist Val!jo ann c. #9942118
Phyllis H. Burchett January 24, 2012
That must have really been something to witness Val, BIG congrats! #9942279Mary Dimitriw January 24, 2012
Congrats Miss Val!! Another outstanding macro Finalist! #9942426Ellen Hodges January 24, 2012
Huge congrats and very best luck with this gorgeous finalist, Val!! the writing of the story should get a finalist, too!!! Verrry lovely!!! Regards to Mom!!! #9942663Terry Cervi January 24, 2012
Congrats on your stunning finalist, Ms. V! #9942704Heather Loewenhardt January 24, 2012
Wow so beautiful Val, both the story and the image. Glad to see it recognized by the judges. Good luck in the next round. #9942729Carol L. Fowler January 24, 2012
Wonderful capture and story! Big Congrats Val!! #9942833Ann Coates January 24, 2012
What a fascinating process to watch from start to finish. Congratulations on your fabulous finalist Valarie. #9942870Agnes Fegan January 24, 2012
A beautiful image and I enjoyed reading your story too! Congratulations! #9943072Usman M. Bajwa January 24, 2012
Beautiful macro capture, Val. CONGRATZ on the Finalist badge and good luck!!!UB. #9943136
Gord MacEachern January 25, 2012
Big congratulations on your wonderful finalist Val!! #9943693Michelle Alton January 25, 2012
Somehow I missed this when first posted, Val. Wow! This is stunning, and what an amazing story. Congratulations. I don't think this is the end of the story! #9943776Leslie McLain January 25, 2012
Congrats on a beautiful finalist, Val. #9944034Bojan Bencic January 25, 2012
Amazing. Congratulations on your finalist, Val! #9944127Val Feldman January 25, 2012
Thank you all - very much!!! #9944423Karen Slagle January 25, 2012
Fantastic details in your wonderful finalist, Val. Best of luck next round. #9944595Julianne Bradford January 25, 2012
Such beauty is well worth revisiting. Congratulations Valarie..I hope she sports a badge of gold the next time we see her #9944913Anita Hogue January 25, 2012
Oh, soooooo lovely! Congratulations, Val! #9945366Tammy Espino January 25, 2012
Congratulations on your win :) #9945779Renee Doyle January 25, 2012
Big congrats on this excellent winner Val!! #9945823Lorna Shutter January 25, 2012
Woo Hoo!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your 2nd Place Win, Val!!!!! WTG!!! :)Kathy Salerni January 25, 2012
Big congrats on your Gold Winning image, Val! WTG! #9945865Joannie Bertucci January 25, 2012
Val, she stradles those flowers like a true Texan! :-) This is just stunning and what a wonderful experience this must have been! Congrats on your well deserved gold badge! #9945894Heather Loewenhardt January 25, 2012
Congrats on this beautiful image becoming a winner but then all your photos are winners. You are a very skilled photographer. Congrats again. #9945900Terry Cervi January 25, 2012
Congratulations on your beautiful win, Ms V! #9946007Robert R. Goodman January 25, 2012
Congratulations my friend!!!! #9946057Amy M. Wilson January 25, 2012
A hearty congratulations on your STUNNING Gold winner... simply perfect, Val - love it!!! #9946190Monnie Ryan January 25, 2012
Gorgeous, Val -congratulations! #9946324Patrick Rouzes January 25, 2012
Congratulations on this exceptionallly beautiful Winner, Val! WTG, my friend! #9946346Val Feldman January 25, 2012
Thanks so much everyone for your kind congratulations! I'm a happy camper tonight! :) As always, the biggest win at BP is the encouragement and support so generously given by it's wonderful members... and for that, I thank you all from the bottom of this ol' TX heart. #9946404Leslie McLain January 25, 2012
Congrats on a beautiful finalist, Val. #9946445R. J. Laudenbacher January 25, 2012
WTG, Val. A big congratulations to you on your fantastic winner! #9946462Diane E. Deming January 25, 2012
Congratulations on a beautiful image and winner, Val. #9946472Ellen Hodges January 25, 2012
Huge congrats on a fabulous winner, Val!!! Soooo glad to see this beauty as a winner!! #9946871Rona L. Schwarz January 25, 2012
How could I have missed this the first time around?! And I didn't even make it through all the Finalists yet...Simply stunning, Val - another one of your spectacular macros - this one is extra special because it is so rarely seen. What an incredible experience this must have been. Thanks for sharing this special moment. Big Congrats on this brilliant Winner!!! #9946919Alan L. Borror January 26, 2012
Huge congratulations on your wonderful winner, Val! #9947173Usman M. Bajwa January 26, 2012
HUGE CONGRATZ on getting in the Golden Circle !!!UB. #9947297
Bojan Bencic January 26, 2012
Beautiful. Congratulations on your win, Val! #9947336Julie Burnett January 26, 2012
HUGE congratulations on this fabulous winner, Val!! #9947385Patti Coblentz January 26, 2012
Congratulations on your beautiful winner, Val...and hello :) #9947423Kathy Cline January 26, 2012
Congratulations Val,Cathy A. Rose January 26, 2012
Beautiful capture!! Congratulations!!! Well deserved!! #9947604Dayna Cain January 26, 2012
A truly beautiful winner. Congrats! #9947713Linda D. Lester January 26, 2012
Congratulations on your awesome win! #9947972Claudine Grove January 26, 2012
What a beauty! Congrats on your Gold Win! #9947985Don Christiana January 26, 2012
Congratulation Val for your big win. The image is beautiful and so was your story you provided about this wonderful natures process. I hope you have a great day... #9948298Deborah Lewinson January 26, 2012
I loved this the first time, but now I'm swept away by your wonderful composition!Hardy congrats on your win, Val!
Debby #9948731
Emile Abbott January 26, 2012
Glad to see this in the winner column Val. Congrats on the Gold. #9948737Michael Umbreit January 27, 2012
Val - Congratulations on your winning image!! - Mike #9949940Ann Coates January 27, 2012
Congratulations on your beautiful Gold win Valarie. #9950795Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna January 28, 2012
WTG on your wonderful winning photo! :-) k #9952734Bonnie C. Lackey January 28, 2012
Congratulations, Valarie. It's always hard when a little one leaves home but you'll always have this winner! #9952799Mary Dimitriw January 28, 2012
Congrats on your outstanding winner Val !! #9952811Patricia Seidler January 29, 2012
Congratulations Val on this terrific winner! I knew we would see this again! #9953695Merna L. Nobile February 03, 2012
#9963155
Patricia A. Casey May 22, 2013
Alright...# 5...and I'm going to stop counting and sending you notes (maybe)...congratulations on this win....it also is a beauty....guess they thought so too at BP..... #10702701Ed Lauderdale March 29, 2016
Val, this is my favorite of your ATEP;s! With so many it's hard to choose. I'm sure we'll see one of yours in the All Time winner's circle!! #11453671Joanna Kovalcsik June 19, 2017
Lovely story, Val... lovely image!!! #11611693Val Feldman June 28, 2017
Thanks so much, Joanna! The experience of raising and then witnessing the "leaving of the nest" so to speak, was one of the most rewarding experiences ever. Thank you for your kindness in finding this oldie but goodie and leaving your wonderful comment! #11615095Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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