• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

The Second Time Around

© Val Feldman

The Second Time Around

Uploaded: June 07, 2010 03:53:43

Description

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

Comments

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...
Don't be sad they know you took good care of them and they may return to see you soon,never know..
Have a great day,my butterfly loving friend. #1276170

Douglas Pignet June 07, 2010

Everything about this image is there, right light,colors and comp. Very well done #8670709

Ellen Hodges June 07, 2010

Exquisite capture, Val! The detail and beauty are extremely beautiful!! Have a great Monday! Nice story, too! #8670723

Anita Hogue June 07, 2010

WOW, she's gorgeous! #8670737

Patricia 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. #8670753

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe June 07, 2010

A wonderful capture and experience Valarie! Thanks for sharing it with us! Jeff #8670777

Robert 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!!! #8670781

Melissa Olsen June 07, 2010

Well, this is a winner if I ever saw one. Totally amazing! #8670904

Patti Coblentz June 07, 2010

I am in total agreement with Melissa!
What a great experience, Val..to watch them as they take naturally to the environment around them...wish I could have done this with you! A beautiful capture here!

Patti #8670972

Husain Akhtar June 07, 2010

Excellent record of life - outstanding capture! #8670986

Linda D. Lester level-classic June 07, 2010

This is a winner if I have ever seen one.....what a beauty!!! #8671030

Gina Cormier June 07, 2010

<----grovel.....grovel....grovel.....
Damn...my knees are killing me!!

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. #8671263

Julianne 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! #8671396

Leslie McLain level-classic June 07, 2010

Amazing capture. #8671460

Rony 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. #8671495

Kathy Salerni level-classic 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! #8671538

Kerry Hill June 07, 2010

So beautiful Valarie! What a fantastic natures wonder to watch! #8671699

Gord MacEachern June 07, 2010

Isn't nature beautiful Valarie, and you captured a fabulous result of ma nature at her finest.
Great capture as always!! #8672832

Carol L. Fowler June 07, 2010

Be strong, Mom. They will remember you and perhaps return with broods of their own! Beautiful capture, indeed. #8673032

Karen Engelbreth June 07, 2010

Wonderful image and story, Valarie... #8673114

Tammy Espino June 07, 2010

What a wonderful story and capture! #8674085

Carol Eade level-classic June 07, 2010

Beautifully captured, Valarie, the colors are so perfect! #8674567

Barbara Waldoch June 08, 2010

Beautiful shot, Valarie!
Congratulations on your Finalists! #8677197

Val Feldman level-classic June 08, 2010

Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments on this pretty little lady...I appreciate! ~Val #8678096

Dianna 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! #8679429

Val Feldman level-classic June 09, 2010

Thanks so much, Dianna! #8682078

Ruth 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! #8682880

Val Feldman level-classic June 09, 2010

Ruth, you're a sweetie! Thank you! #8683012

Julie Burnett June 11, 2010

Val, you amaze me with your talent. Perfectly composed with excellent clarity, a sure winner, and what a wonderful story!! #8687913

Marty Straub June 11, 2010

Wonderful story and a very special capture, Valarie. Your inner beauty is written all over both. #8688329

Daniella Puente June 11, 2010

Beautiful Valarie... #8688932

Nadia Paul June 11, 2010

How very beautiful and special Valarie - wonderful image! #8689608

Val Feldman level-classic June 12, 2010

Thanks so much Daniella, Julie, Marty and Nadia for stopping by and commenting - much appreciated!! #8691385

Ann H. Belus level-deluxe 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. #8705008

Val Feldman level-classic June 25, 2010

Thanks, Ann! #8716227

Tammy Espino January 24, 2012

Congrats on your awesome finalist!! :) I see gold ~ Good luck next round my friend!! #9939848

Deborah Lewinson level-addict January 24, 2012

Beautiful and excellent finalist, Val!

Congratulations!
Debby #9939933

Kathy Salerni level-classic January 24, 2012

Huge congrats on your well deserved Finalist, Val! #9940176

Karen 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! #9940398

Don 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. #9940735

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe January 24, 2012

A perfect finalist, Val. #9940978

Emile Abbott level-classic January 24, 2012

OH Val I only missed this due to December. What an awesome finalist my Texas friend. Congrats. #9941234

Renee Doyle January 24, 2012

Awesome!! Congratulations Val! #9941317

Phyllis A. Houghton January 24, 2012

Congratulations on your finalist, Val. What beautiful detail. #9941394

Lorna Shutter January 24, 2012

Woo Hoo!!! WTG, MS. VAL!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved Finalist Award!!!!! Good luck in the next round!!! :)
Photobucket #9941444

Patrick Rouzes level-classic January 24, 2012

Hey, Val, Congratulations & good luck on this amazing Finalist! WTG, my friend! That's me dancing! #9941533

Cheryl Winn January 24, 2012

Amazing capture, Val! Exquisite! #9941866

Lorna Shutter January 24, 2012

Yep, I taught Patrick everything I know! LOL! :D #9941907

Robert R. Goodman January 24, 2012

Hi Valarie,Congratulations on this beautiful finalist!!! #9941998

Chris Budny level-deluxe January 24, 2012

Nicely done! Congratulations! #9942049

JO 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! #9942279

January 24, 2012

Very nice! #9942339

Mary Dimitriw level-classic January 24, 2012

Congrats Miss Val!! Another outstanding macro Finalist! #9942426

Ellen 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!!! #9942663

Terry Cervi level-deluxe January 24, 2012

Congrats on your stunning finalist, Ms. V! #9942704

Heather Loewenhardt level-classic 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. #9942729

Carol L. Fowler January 24, 2012

Wonderful capture and story! Big Congrats Val!! #9942833

Ann Coates level-classic January 24, 2012

What a fascinating process to watch from start to finish. Congratulations on your fabulous finalist Valarie. #9942870

Agnes Fegan level-deluxe January 24, 2012

A beautiful image and I enjoyed reading your story too! Congratulations! #9943072

Usman M. Bajwa level-classic 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!! #9943693

Michelle 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! #9943776

Leslie McLain level-classic January 25, 2012

Congrats on a beautiful finalist, Val. #9944034

Bojan Bencic level-classic January 25, 2012

Amazing. Congratulations on your finalist, Val! #9944127

Val Feldman level-classic January 25, 2012

Thank you all - very much!!! #9944423

Karen Slagle January 25, 2012

Fantastic details in your wonderful finalist, Val. Best of luck next round. #9944595

Julianne 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 #9944913

Anita Hogue January 25, 2012

Oh, soooooo lovely! Congratulations, Val! #9945366

Tammy Espino January 25, 2012

Congratulations on your win :) #9945779

Renee Doyle January 25, 2012

Big congrats on this excellent winner Val!! #9945823

Lorna Shutter January 25, 2012

Woo Hoo!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your 2nd Place Win, Val!!!!! WTG!!! :)
Photobucket #9945824

Kathy Salerni level-classic January 25, 2012

Big congrats on your Gold Winning image, Val! WTG! #9945865

Joannie Bertucci level-classic 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! #9945894

Heather Loewenhardt level-classic 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. #9945900

Terry Cervi level-deluxe January 25, 2012

Congratulations on your beautiful win, Ms V! #9946007

Robert R. Goodman January 25, 2012

Congratulations my friend!!!! #9946057

Amy M. Wilson January 25, 2012

A hearty congratulations on your STUNNING Gold winner... simply perfect, Val - love it!!! #9946190

Monnie Ryan January 25, 2012

Gorgeous, Val -congratulations! #9946324

Patrick Rouzes level-classic January 25, 2012

Congratulations on this exceptionallly beautiful Winner, Val! WTG, my friend! #9946346

Val Feldman level-classic 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. #9946404

Leslie McLain level-classic January 25, 2012

Congrats on a beautiful finalist, Val. #9946445

R. J. Laudenbacher level-classic January 25, 2012

WTG, Val. A big congratulations to you on your fantastic winner! #9946462

Diane E. Deming level-classic January 25, 2012

Congratulations on a beautiful image and winner, Val. #9946472

Ellen Hodges January 25, 2012

Huge congrats on a fabulous winner, Val!!! Soooo glad to see this beauty as a winner!! #9946871

Rona 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!!! #9946919

Alan L. Borror January 26, 2012

Huge congratulations on your wonderful winner, Val! #9947173

Usman M. Bajwa level-classic January 26, 2012

HUGE CONGRATZ on getting in the Golden Circle !!!

UB. #9947297

Bojan Bencic level-classic January 26, 2012

Beautiful. Congratulations on your win, Val! #9947336

Julie Burnett January 26, 2012

HUGE congratulations on this fabulous winner, Val!! #9947385

Patti Coblentz January 26, 2012

Congratulations on your beautiful winner, Val...and hello :) #9947423

Kathy Cline January 26, 2012

Congratulations Val,
well deserved

#9947586

Cathy A. Rose January 26, 2012

Beautiful capture!! Congratulations!!! Well deserved!! #9947604

Dayna Cain level-classic January 26, 2012

A truly beautiful winner. Congrats! #9947713

Linda D. Lester level-classic January 26, 2012

Congratulations on your awesome win! #9947972

Claudine Grove level-classic January 26, 2012

What a beauty! Congrats on your Gold Win! #9947985

Don 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... #9948298

Deborah Lewinson level-addict 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 level-classic January 26, 2012

Glad to see this in the winner column Val. Congrats on the Gold. #9948737

Michael Umbreit January 27, 2012

Val - Congratulations on your winning image!! - Mike #9949940

Ann Coates level-classic January 27, 2012

Congratulations on your beautiful Gold win Valarie. #9950795

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna January 28, 2012

WTG on your wonderful winning photo! :-) k #9952734

Bonnie C. Lackey level-classic January 28, 2012

Congratulations, Valarie. It's always hard when a little one leaves home but you'll always have this winner! #9952799

Mary Dimitriw level-classic January 28, 2012

Congrats on your outstanding winner Val !! #9952811

Patricia Seidler January 29, 2012

Congratulations Val on this terrific winner! I knew we would see this again! #9953695

Merna L. Nobile February 03, 2012


You can feel it in the air, the anticipation of waiting for the awards to arrive. The talent that is on display for all to see and share is amazing. Congratulations to all the January, 2012 winners. Merna

#9963155

Patricia A. Casey level-classic 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..... #10702701

Ed Lauderdale level-classic 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!! #11453671

Joanna Kovalcsik level-classic June 19, 2017

Lovely story, Val... lovely image!!! #11611693

Val Feldman level-classic 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! #11615095

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

4

You & 4

Love It!
BetterPhoto.com All Time Best Photo Contest Editor's Pick BetterPhoto.com Photo Contest SECOND PLACE Winner


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Val Feldman.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer. Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.