Vivid Macro Darrin – what kit you using? And are these hand held – or tripod – I cant get near enough to these – I cast too wide a shadow.
The Peacock Butterfly, by the way, is just about our most colourful in the UK, and when we do occassionally get Monarchs, I’m too far north to phot one – never yet seen one in the wild, and Ive been loads of places……

Thank you for your nice comments! I am using a Canon 400d or XTi, with a 105mm Sigma Macro with a Tamron 2x tele extender. I don’t use the extender if I can get close enough. The 2x is great to use when things are out of reach or to get super close. I usually don’t use a tripod because they are cumbersome. One thing that I’ve learned about hummingbirds and dragonflies is that they like to return to a certain spot. Once you gain their trust, they’ll let you closer. I am about 12 inches away on this shot. The Monarchs that I shot were in Costa Mesa, California dining mostly on Milkweed.

Beautiful work… Congratulations on your feature !!!
Nature In Its Entirety-NOTHING MAN MADE Features March 27th 2012

This work is eligible to enter in our Featured Work April 2012 Challenge
Good Luck

Fantastic shot!

I liked this so much… Guess what?

CONGRATULATIONS Johan
See also the permanent Feature page it can by found each week at the groups messages

Congratulations Darrin with your Feature in Insects, Bugs and Creepy Crawlies!
Excellent work and very well deserved!!!
Cheers, Jo ;)

Excellent work!