Digger Wasp. Be careful photographing large digger wasps as they can deliver a very painful sting. This beautiful specimen was observed during late September feeding upon nectar an hour before sunset. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2008 BY T.A. Lynch. All rights reserved.
Welcome to the Macro Photo Fest. You are invited to submit your macro photographs for exhibit and display. Macro photography generally refers to close-up photography of subjects. In this context photographs of flora and fauna at magnifications on the order of 2x - 20x will generally be considered. Also acceptable is subjects observed and photographed at higher magnification via the aid of a microscope (photomicrography). Please submit the complete entry form when sending photographs. Thank you.
Fig. 1. This is a Red-Spotted Purple Limenitis sp. which came to rest upon a moist mat which was set to dry upon a table at Three Rivers State Park, Florida, 2 August 2004. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2006 BY TAL
The Macro Photography Fest is a challenge to take the best photographs of small animals and plants around the world.
To participate in the Macro Photography Fest you must photograph small animals or plants in their natural environment. No means may be used to disturb or remove the small animal or plant and place it in an artificial environment for making your photograph, except as indicated below. Part of the fun and challenge of this contest is to seek out small animals and plants in their natural environment and to photograph them without hurting, harming or disturbing them. You may use feeders, lights or other means to lure butterflies, moths or other small animals out of the woods and forests, but please, try not to actually capture or molest the butterflies, moths or other small animals in the process of photographing them. An exception is if you rear exotic or other species such that this does not adversely impact natural species. Hence any species that you are actually rearing or growing indoors or outdoors may be a subject for macro photography.
Love Bugs Plecia nearctica. Large female is feeding on nectar as she drags the slightly smaller male around. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2008 BY T.A. Lynch
Endangered species should NOT be collected or held in permanently in captivity to get photographs. If specimens are collected and used for photography, please release them later. Please do NOT purchase exotic species, dead or alive, for usage as subjects. This is a competition to photograph small animals and plants in their natural environment and in no way should any small animal or plant be hurt, harmed, molested or disturbed in the process of observing and photographing it. You may photograph animals or plants at zoos, botanical gardens, butterfly gardens or other nature exhibits and preservation programs provided that you provide complete information about the location and sponsors so that proper credit may be given to them when presenting your photographs.
Giant Golden Digger Wasp Sphex ichneumoneus. Feeding upon nectar. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2008 BY T.A. Lynch
Of course there are exceptions which will be permitted. You may capture and release butterflies or other small insects and photograph them exhibiting natural behavior, such as caterpillars feeding upon plants in a simulated natural environment. Or you may do macrophotography or photomicrography of butterflies, their larvae or eggs, as to record immature or minute features and details of butterflies which require the usage of a microscope. Even in such cases, however, it is recommended to attempt to photograph live specimens.
Paper Wasp Polistes sp.. Feeding upon nectar. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2008 BY T.A. Lynch
If photographing a particular behavior can be best done using captured and collected butterflies, insects or other small animals, this is also permitted. In such cases please release butterflies or other subjects after they are photographed. Remember, the challenge is to take photographs of live butterflies, insects or other flora and fauna in their natural environment exhibiting natural behavior. Please keep this in mind when taking photographs for presentation on this site.
Fig. 2. Red-Spotted Purple Limenitis sp. attracted to a moist mat set to dry upon a table at Three Rivers State Park, Florida, 2 Aug. 2004. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2006 BY TAL.
How to photograph small animals and plants. Many small animals and plants can best be photographed during the day or night when they are active. Fig. 1 shows a butterfly attracted to a moist mat that was set to dry upon a table in a state park. Butterflies may be attracted using this or other methods. Planting flowers in your yard or garden is another good way to attract butterflies.
In Fig. 2 a side view of a Red-Spotted Purple Limenitis sp. is shown. This butterfly came to rest upon a moist mat which was set to dry upon a park table.
Fig. 3. Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae feeding upon Lantana. Huntington College, Montgomery, Alabama 23 August 2005. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2006 BY Terry Lynch.
The opportunity to photograph butterflies around your home may be increased by planting butterfly flowers. Many varieties of flowers will attract butterflies and provide colorful backgrounds to enhance your butterfly photographs.
Part of the fun and challenge of the Macro Photography Fest is to hunt for small animals and plants day or night and use your ingenuity to obtain good photographs. One way to photograph moths at night is to set up a UV lamp to attract the moths, allowing them to come to rest upon a white sheet where they can then be photographed.
Fig. 4. Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae feeding upon Lantana.. Huntington College, Montgomery, Alabama 23 August 2005. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2006 BY Terry Lynch.
For additional information about how to photograph butterflies see the Art and Science of Butterfly Photography by William Folsom." This is an outstanding publication which reviews all aspects of how to photograph butterflies.
In general a good method to use is any camera with a macro lens. If you use a digital camera, those which have higher resolution will enable higher quality photographs to be obtained which may be enlarged to a greater degree before exhibiting pixels or grain. If using a film camera, a 35 mm SLR is recommended with a telephoto 80-200 mm zoom 1:4 lens and extension ring. Of course you may experiment with any zoom lens and extension ring combination you may have handy. If you are looking for good deals on camera equipment check out eBay. When buying any camera equipment on-line be sure you are allowed to inspect the equipment after receipt and make a return if you are not happy with it for any reason whatsoever.
Copulation of Mud Daubers. The large female feeds on nectar as she flies around from flower to flower with the slightly smaller male riding piggy-back. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2008 BY T.A. Lynch. All rights reserved.
Photographing insects, spiders and other small animals is a very rewarding experience. To learn new tips and tricks see How to take better photographs of insects, spiders and other small animals and plants by Terry Lynch
Beginning October 1, 2008 any photographs selected for usage may be reprinted on promotional gifts and apparel to help raise funds. So please ONLY send photographs which include a completed entry form. This will be a way you can also get your nice designs upon high quality merchandise. Also you will be eligible to receive an annual prize which may show your photograph on a product. Photos submitted prior to Oct. 1, 2008 are not available unless you submit the complete entry form.
After photographing a butterfly or moth, please send a digital photograph of your specimen to Macro Photography Fest. Please indicate the location (city/state/province), date and time where the photographs was taken and the name of the photographer. You may also indicate the scientific name of the small animal or plant should you know this. You should also indicate any other specific information you would like mentioned, as were the butterfly was found, plant it may be feeding upon, time of day or night, camera type, model and settings, etc.
All entries become the property of The Macro Photography Fest and may be reprinted or published on this site or elsewhere to promote The Macro Photography Fest. No entries can be returned. Credit will be given to the photographer as PHOTO COPYRIGHT 20xx BY JOHN/JANE DOE.
When you submit an entry you are giving permission to use your photograph, to publish it and/or use it in making and marketing promotional items. This will over time help support the Macro Photography Festival. Any profits will be used to support this site and/or help promote an awareness about small animals and plants and the need to preserve them and to conserve and protect our natural environment. This is meant to be a fun, educational and informative endeavor. Do NOT send any photographs unless you agree to these terms. Do NOT release any information that you do not want published upon the Internet or otherwise. By participating in the Macro Photography Fest you release its sponsors, promoters, agents and representatives from any and all liability whatsoever associated with the usage of any photographs, information or material submitted, transferred or otherwise provided in the context of the Macro Photography Fest. Thank you for your participation and entries!
There is no limit to the number of entries you may make. The Macro Photography Fest has a perpetual duration and is open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Postings will be made of the best entries which will be featured on this site. The Macro Photography Fest does not discriminate against people based upon race, religion, color, sex or national origin. Our philosophy is that every creature is a good creature ; some are just more colorful and interesting to photograph than others! :-)
Please help promote and support The Macro Photography Fest. A variety of "Free Stuff" is provided for your enjoyment!
If you use Butterfly Magic please make a donation to the artist, Terry Lynch, via PayPal.com to the account of terrylynch@aol.com. Thank you for your support!
You may use the secure code below to make immediate donations. Please make a donation of between $1.00 to $5.00 or more. Thank you.
Terry Lynch is a master graphic artist and designer who has done original research related to fireflies and other insects. Lynch has produced and developed thousands of original designs including designs related to flags, hearts, flowers, dogs, animals, insects and other nature themes. You may view Lynch's art in the Byteland Art Gallery at http://www.cafepress.com/bytelandart.
Butterfly Magic includes a series of tiles which have been digitally enhanced to use as wallpaper upon the Internet. When used as wallpaper in the BODY of a page, Butterfly Magic designs provide a beautiful background mosaic to illuminate the Internet.
There is a variety of Butterfly Art items to help promote awareness about butterflies, world peace, love, joy, happiness and goodwill among all humanity. Please visit the Butterflies Are Magic Art Gallery. Thank you for your support and patronage.
There are many interesting aspects about butterflies and moths which may be captured using photography. Certainly the feeding behavior of butterflies would make for interesting and challenging photographs; i.e., to photograph butterflies and moths feeding upon flowers and identify the species of each. The metamorphosis of butterflies would also be an interesting and challenging aspect of their lives to photographs as would the laying of eggs and the feeding of caterpillars upon their host food plants. Close up photographs of the eyes of various types of butterflies or their wing scales would also be of interest. The various type cocoons and chrysalis constructed by butterflies and moths would also be interesting to photograph as would their emergence from the pupae stage. Should you collect specimens and maintain them in captivity in order to make such photographs, please describe your methods so that this may be known, as to enable others to repeat your work and understand that these photographs were enabled by the methods employed and were not taken in the field. For example, if you collect larvae of the Monarch butterfly and rear them upon milkweed in order to obtain photographs of chrysalis construction or emergence of butterflies, please specify this fact. All photographs of butterflies or moths sent may be published in the butterfly gallery or reprinted and marketed upon promotional Macro Photography Fest items in the future. Thanks Lepidopterists!
Enjoy these selected entries. Click on photographs to go shopping for selected entries upon gifts and apparel to decorate you home, school, office or person. Thank you for your patronage.
This dangling spider lives under houses, porches or other dry areas where it eats small insects. After producing an egg case hundreds of tiny spiders may emerge. If confined to a jar these tiny spider will compete for web space and eat each other.
Speedwell (Veronica persica), has minute blue sky flowers which can be photographed in early spring through mid-summer. These adorable flowers are measure only 5 mm across so you need a magnifying glass to get a good look at them. Speedwell is a hermaphrodite in that both male and female organs occur upon the same plant. Although it may be pollinated by flies, bees and other insects, speedwell wildflowers may also be self-fertilized. There are more than 20 species of speedwell in North America. Some species of speedwell have been naturalized from Europe and have and have a long history of as medical plants. To learn more about the traditional medicinal usage of speedwell see Veronica officinalis, a species native to the Western Isles of the UK.
This Christmas tree sprouting of lichen occurred high atop an old oak tree and fell to the ground after a thunderstorm. Lichen consists of algae and fungi living in a symbiotic relationship. Lichen can also grow upon stones to produce very beautiful and large arrangements.
This photo shows a very active, rapid flying moth, probably Argyrogramma verruca, flying and feeding upon Boneset at night. The photograph was taken in eastern Mississippi. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2008 BY Terry Lynch.
This enhanced photo shows how a Zale's moth's eyes appear to gleam when a bright light is shined upon them. A copper, reddish reflection indicates that light has reached the retina and is reflected back to the observer. PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2006 BY Terry Lynch.
I would like to thank everyone for sending their interesting, unusual or beautiful photographs. Entries will be featured here for all to enjoy!
Please visit these educational and informative sites. Don't forget to go hunting for photographs. Make a day of it and see who can find and photograph the most colorful or interesting small animal or plant.
You may support The Macro Photography Fest with a donations of any amount which will be considered a gift to a private individual and is NOT tax deductible. You may also make donations via PayPal.com to the email address of terrylynch@aol.com. Thank you for your consideration and support.
You may also help by purchasing design items featured in The Butterflies Are Magic gallery and available via our sponsor. Thank you for your support.
Because firefly habitats are being destroyed at alarming rates, wetlands being drained to build resorts, forested areas being clear cut and burned, the virgin rain forests being raped and plundered for profit, it is vital that people be made aware of how greedy industrialist are destroying the environment. Hence I took the above firefly flight pattern design and gave fireflies the names of real people to make an emotional appeal for the preservation and protection of firefly habitats. Please buy these gifts and apparel and help the Go Green campaign to recycle, conserve and protect our natural resources, wildlife and the environment that tomorrow there will still be fireflies to grace our lives and to show our children
