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Blue Morpho


Blue Morpho
Photo Information
Copyright: Siegfried Potrykus (neusser0204) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 494 W: 48 N: 1830] (7246)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-09
Categories: Nature
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-04 0:37
Viewed: 103
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Photographed in the butterfly house.
A Morpho butterfly may be one of over 80 species of the genus Morpho. They are Neotropical butterflies found mostly in South America as well as Mexico and Central America. Morphos range in wingspan from the 7.5 cm (3 inch) M. rhodopteron to the imposing 20 cm (8 inch) Sunset Morpho, M. hecuba. The name Morpho, meaning changed or modified, is also an epithet of Aphrodite and Venus.
Coloration
Many Morpho butterflies are colored in metallic, shimmering shades of blue and green. These colors are not a result of pigmentation but are an example of iridescence: the microscopic scales covering the Morpho's wings reflect incident light repeatedly at successive layers, leading to interference effects that depend on both wavelength and angle of incidence/observance[2]. Thus the colors produced vary with viewing angle, however they are actually surprisingly uniform, perhaps due to the tetrahedral (diamond-like) structural arrangement of the scales or diffraction from overlying cell layers. This structure may be likened to a photonic crystal. The lamellate structure of their wing scales has been studied as a model in the development of fabrics, dye-free paints, and anti-counterfeit technology used in currency.

The iridescent lamellae are only present on the dorsal side of their wings, leaving the ventral side brown.

The ventral side is decorated with ocelli or eyespots. In some species, such as M. godarti, the dorsal lamellae are so thin as to allow the ventral ocelli to peek through. While not all Morphos have iridescent coloration, they all have ocelli. In most species only the males are colorful, supporting the theory that the coloration is used for intrasexual communication between males. The lamellae reflect up to 70% of light falling on them, including any ultraviolet (UV). The eyes of Morpho butterflies are thought to be highly sensitive to UV light and therefore the males are able to see each other from great distances. Some South American species are reportedly visible by the human eye up to one kilometre away.

There also exist a number of white Morpho species, principal among these being M. catenarius and M. laertes. An unusual species that is fundamentally white in coloration, but which exhibits a stunning purple iridescence when viewed at certain angles is the rare M. sulkowskyi, while among the metallic blue Morpho species, M. rhetenor stands out as the most iridescence of all, with M. cypris a close second. Indeed, M. cypris is notable in that specimens that are mounted in entomological collections will exhibit color differences across the wings if they are not 'set' perfectly flat.(Wikipedia)
chendis, fransx, mikolaj_cava, parasbhalla, horias, Saba, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Great photo . Perfect focus and colors.
Regards Zoran

excellent shot great detail and markings good blurred b/g.
regards
jimmy

Hi Siegfried

outstanding capture with excellent clarity and details
its wings look made by velvet
beautiful patterns and pastel colors
grate composition
Have a beautiful day!

Oana

Hi Siegfreid,
Great macro shot of this lovely butterfly!
Accurate sharpness and a nice contrast of the insect against the beautiful pink flower!
A wonderful colored blurred BG which matches exactly to the colors of the protagunists!
A very neat presentation.
A good Sunday to you.
Regards,

Francis Xavier

Czesc Siegfried! Swietna, staranna ekspozycja, doskonale oswietlenie, bardzo dobrze wydobyte kolory, idealna ostrosc. Klaniam sie!

Schoen Guten Morgen, Siegfried!

Wow, what a lovely macro capture of this adorable butterfly in pink atmosphere! The sharpness is crisp and POV is perfect. The eyes of the butterfly are very well shown. I like the textures on its wings. Well done, my friend!

best regards,
Paras

Excelente macro de esta mariposa con mucha nitidez y buena composicion que hasta hace juego con el color de la flor
Buen trabajo
un saludo

  • Great 
  • JT50 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 1 N: 173] (904)
  • [2009-10-04 2:54]

Hi Siegfried,
Well done.
Colours and clarity of the image is superb.
Regards.
Janak

Ciao Siggi, an other fantastic butterfly with wonderful colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, superb macro with lovely blurry BG, very well done, ciao Silvio

Siggi
Wonderful capture, lovely colors and details.
Horia

Hi Siggi!
very nice capture, lovely colors, great composition from a nice pov...perfect sharpness...
tfs
regards,
Alper

  • Great 
  • Saba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 620 W: 0 N: 1693] (9506)
  • [2009-10-04 14:36]

Witaj Siggi! :)

Fantastyczny motylek, wyglada jak namalowany.
Piekne kolory i swiatlo, wspaniale sie oglada.

Gratulacje i moc pozdrowien.
Barbara

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1724 W: 127 N: 1483] (20890)
  • [2009-10-04 21:50]

Hi Siegfried,
great macro .I liked colours and designs .Elegant framing.Congratulations.Necla.

Hi again MF, another superb macro capture of a tropical beauty from nice POV with delightful composition.
TFS and cheers,

Bayram

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