Inspiring Photo: A Matter of Balance #14717020

A Matter of Balance

Uploaded: October 23, 2014 | Entered: March 15, 2015 18:45:15

Description

A monarch butterfly takes a breather on an old, rusted-out balancing whirligig in my garden. Haven't seen many butterflies this year.

DD

Exif: F Number: 6.3, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/640 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 800, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 300.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Comments

Natasha Pliss October 23, 2014 0

Beautiful and unique image, Val! Impressive composition and wonderful treatment. A fave for me. #1592187

JO ANN CLEVELAND October 23, 2014 0

Me too - a fave for me! This is sooo pretty and love the treatment Val! #11166416

Karen Bacon October 24, 2014 0

This is absolutely lovely Val! A fav for me! #11166434

Terry Cervi October 24, 2014 0

I just saw a handful at the end of the summer here, Ms.V. You have captured yours just beautifully and added such gorgeous treatment to create a masterpiece! Fave of course! #11166453

David Phalen October 24, 2014 0

Fabulous capture and treatment!! Beautiful!! #11166476

Dayna Cain October 24, 2014 0

Gorgeous work Val! Wow! #11166481

Carol L. Fowler October 24, 2014 0

Your tones and textures are phenomenal! #11166517

Leslie McLain October 24, 2014 0

Beautiful capture and texture, Val. #11166523

Robert R. Goodman October 24, 2014 0

Hi Valarie,Beautiful capture.Really like treatment,We haven't see a lot of them here in the desert my friend.Forecast for a wet winter here,should see a lot next year!!! #11166550

Bill Whala October 24, 2014 0

Stunningly beautiful, Val!! Original image and treatment are top notch. Fave for me too. #11166555

Sheri Whala October 24, 2014 0

What a cool shot! I love the treatment also! #11166628

Kathy Salerni October 24, 2014 0

Hey Val! I have read that the monarch butterflies have decline by 90% in the last 20 years.. Very sad.
Your treament on this image is stunning! WTG! #11166682

Laura E. Swan October 24, 2014 0

Is a whirligig anything like a thingamagig, because if so I have a few of those kicking around?! This is a work of art. I see so many DDR images that really should become greeting cards and this is surely one of them. I was just commenting on Steve Z's gallery saying I wish we could order cards from each others work here on BP. I'd LOVE having that option. :) Until we meet again, LOTW's aka LOTS! :) #11166730

Ann Coates October 24, 2014 0

It was on our news the other night that the monarch butterflies are in decline, how sad. Really like your treatment here Val, a beautiful image. #11166764

Tammy M. Anderson October 24, 2014 0

Only seen a few here too this year. Gorgeous tones, textures and vertical comp. Sure to see this again. Great work, Val. #11166792

Michelle Alton October 24, 2014 0

You have the perfect "eye" for a good shot, and then on top of THAT, you SEE the magic that turns the photo into a masterful work of artistry! Perfect. #11166953

Stephen Zacker October 24, 2014 0

Love the feeling you have created with this. Very Nice! #11166959

Don Christiana October 24, 2014 0

Amazing image Val. The composition, treatment, detail and colors make this a winner. Your a true artist with a camera. A Fave for me. #11167074

John Connolly October 24, 2014 0

A beautifully presented image Val! I love your treatment with this one! #11167128

Gord MacEachern October 24, 2014 0

Poor Monarchs are on decline here also, hardly any here last year, but a few more this year. A lot of people trying to help with different programs, we can only hope they turn around.
Now for the good stuff, WOW,WOW, WOW!!! Always such a pleasure to view your posts Val!! #11167173

Val Feldman October 24, 2014 1

Thanks everyone - appreciate your stop-by and comments....and Laura, a whirligig is really more like a thingamabob than a thingamagig...subtle difference but if you look real close..... :) :) #11167177

Nadia Paul October 25, 2014 0

A gorgeous capture Val - lovely tones, perfect comp and detail and artistic presentation - winner my friend! #11167311

Laura E. Swan October 25, 2014 0

Thank you so very much. I'll go get my pen and notebook and get this jotted down! YOU'RE THE BEST! :D #11167344

Julianne Bradford October 25, 2014 0

Wonderful background Val! #11167368

Patrick Rouzes October 26, 2014 0

Love the tones, textures, dd work & image, Val. Super job, my friend.
#11168473

Emile Abbott October 27, 2014 0

We have had Zero in Del Rio, Val. This is wonderful capture and treatment. #11169290

Marijana Fajgl October 29, 2014 0

What a perfect capture, Val! Fantastic tones, background and details. #11170861

Teresa Burnett November 04, 2014 0

Simply beautiful, Val!! Love the treatment here!! #11177416

Mary-Anne Benusis March 18, 2015 0

Nice. What software do you use? #11267307

Mary K. Robison March 25, 2015 0

Beautiful colors, clarity, capture, and DD effects, Val. #11271125

Kathy Salerni April 14, 2015 0

Huge congrats on your beautiful Finalists, Val! WTG! #11285164

Marijana Fajgl April 14, 2015 0

What a beauty! Huge congratulations, Val! #11285238

Deborah Lewinson April 14, 2015 0

Congrats on another beautiful finalist, Val! #11285533

Michele Peterson April 14, 2015 0

Wow, weren't you in the right place at the right time! Beautiful in every way. Congratulations on your finalist! #11285582

Natasha Pliss April 14, 2015 0

Congratulation on your beautiful and truly unique Finalist, Val! Good luck in the next round. #11285655

Carol L. Fowler April 14, 2015 0

Gorgeous Finalist! Congrats! #11285668

Joannie Bertucci April 15, 2015 0

Val, you've out done yourself with this beauty! Congrats on your finalist! #11285808

Reynaldo D. Reyes April 15, 2015 0

So beautiful Val. Congrats on your awesome finalist. #11285815

Nadia Paul April 15, 2015 0

So glad to see this beauty get the recognition it deserves - congrats on a wonderful finalist my friend! #11285868

Ellen Hodges April 15, 2015 0

Huge congrats on this gorgeous finalist, Val!!! Best luck next round!! #11285946

Carol Eade April 18, 2015 0

Congratulations on this lovely finalist, Val! #11287681

Patrick Rouzes April 18, 2015 0

Love this beautiful finalist, Val. Congrats, my friend.
#11288025

Becky LeMaster April 19, 2015 0

Congratulations once again on this finalist also Val! It's beautiful! Best of luck to you! #11288584

John D. Roach April 20, 2015 0

Congrat! Beautiful image. #11288843

Lois Adomite April 20, 2015 0

so lovely congratulations on the big win! #11288881

Natasha Pliss April 20, 2015 0

I am so happy for you, Val! This is a fabulous and truly unique image. Congratulations on your Grand Win!!! #11288894

Ellen Hodges April 20, 2015 0

Huge congrats on a fabulous and gorgeous Grand Prize winner, Val!!!! #11288909

Carol Flisak April 20, 2015 0

Lovely image, Val... wonderful details, textures and tones! Huge congratulations on your wonderful beautiful Grand Prize Winner! #11288917

Cathy A. Rose April 20, 2015 0

Congratulations for your Grand Prize, Val on this beautiful creature!! #11288925

Sylvia Rourke April 20, 2015 0

Congratulations on your Grand Price win. Simply beautiful. #11288937

Michele Peterson April 20, 2015 0

Am I ever happy to see this get the GP! This is so pretty and well done in every way, Val! Huge congratulations on the win, now go celebrate!! #11288971

Peggy Pfister April 20, 2015 0

Wow! HUGE congrats on this superb Grand Prize winner, Val!!!! #11288979

Bojan Bencic April 20, 2015 0

This is beautiful, Val. Congratulations on your GP win! #11288986

Nikki McDonald April 20, 2015 0

Very lovely, Val. Congratulations on the GP win. #11289006

Kathy Salerni April 20, 2015 0

WooHoo! Biggest congrats on this awesome Grand Prize Winner, Val! So happy this won! #11289013

Val Feldman April 20, 2015 0

Yikes! To say I'm happily stunned would be an understatement for sure! Thank you BP Judges but most of all, thank you BP friends for your support and encouragement. A better group of dedicated, passionate and warm-spirited photographers there never was. Thanks, thanks. #11289040

Tammy M. Anderson April 20, 2015 0

I knew we would see this again. So glad too Congrats a well deserved GP. #11289080

Nancy L. Green April 20, 2015 0

WOW Val!!! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on this well deserved Grand Prize!!! <>< #11289102

Daniella Puente April 20, 2015 0

Big congrats! #11289113

JO ANN CLEVELAND April 20, 2015 0

Congratulations on your fabulous Grand Prize Val! #11289126

Terry Cervi April 20, 2015 0

Hi Ms.V! Huge congrats to you on your stunning Grand Prize win!!! It's a beauty!! :) #11289191

Joannie Bertucci April 20, 2015 1

All it takes is a Texas butterfly and an amazing photographer to get Grand Prize! WTG Ms. Texas! :-)
#11289216

Patrick Rouzes April 20, 2015 0

I wanted to say this was GP material, Kathy. Big CONGRATS, my friend.
#11289281

Patrick Rouzes April 20, 2015 0

Sorry, Val. Had just finished looking at Kathy's photo. Slow processing today.
#11289282

Patricia A. Casey April 20, 2015 0

Yahooooo....Congratulations on a well deserved Grand Champion of a photograph....just stunning..... #11289289

Deborah Lewinson April 20, 2015 0

What a fantastic Grand Prize Winner, Val! A butterfly with a personality! Huge congrats on win!!! #11289330

Marijana Fajgl April 20, 2015 0

Huge congratulations on your fantastic gold, my friend! #11289344

Lynn M. Whitt April 20, 2015 0

Congratulations on you big win. #11289403

Reynaldo D. Reyes April 21, 2015 0

Oh wow! Congrats on this well deserved win Val. Woohoo!~Rey #11289581

Carol L. Fowler April 21, 2015 0

Finally! The recognition you deserve! WTG Val! #11289596

Rona L. Schwarz April 21, 2015 0

Haven't been around much lately and just stopped by to see what was new...and so excited to see you, Val, with this stunning Grand Prize Winner!!! A simply gorgeous and unique treatment on this now very rare (unfortunately) capture, Val! But a very-well deserved Grand Prize - CONGRATULATIONS!!! #11289633

Ujjwal Mukherjee April 21, 2015 0

Congratulations on your wonderful Grand Winner,Val!! #11289677

Jeff Robinson April 21, 2015 0

Congrats Val on this Outstanding and Well Deserved GP!! #11289705

Dayna Cain April 21, 2015 0

Great big CONGRATS on this amazing GP win! Very much deserved!
#11289809

Leslie McLain April 21, 2015 0

Congrats on your Grand Prize winner, Val. #11289812

Susan M. Campbell April 21, 2015 0

Congrats on your win. This is fabulous! 😃 #11289857

Don Christiana April 21, 2015 0

A HUGE Congratulation Val on your stunning and so well deserved GRAND PRIZE WINNER. Your work is always an inspiration. #11289882

Mary K. Robison April 22, 2015 0

CONGRATULATIONS on your Grand Prize Winner, Val! Well earned!! #11290267

Nadia Paul April 22, 2015 0

So very pleased for you my friend - happy to this work art recognised - huge congrats!!! #11290301

Usman M. Bajwa April 22, 2015 0

Huge CONGRATZ on your wonderful capture, treatments and that GP Gold Badge, Val.

UB. #11290458

Janice Mezzacappa April 22, 2015 0

Congrats on your stunning grand prize! #11290466

Mary Beth Aiello April 23, 2015 0

No surprise here, Val. Exceptional capture and treatment. A joy to the eye. Huge congrats on your Grand Prize Winner. So well deserved. Love it. #11290876

Diane E. Deming April 23, 2015 0

Love the photo and the beautiful texture you applied. Gorgeous combination! Congratulations on your Grand Prize win, Val. #11291282

Teresa L. Brooks April 23, 2015 0

Beautiful, congratulations #11291312

Michelle Alton April 24, 2015 0

At last BP has seen fit to bestow the Grand GOLD on you! Way overdue but they have finally seen the light, and YOUR light. Huge Congratulations, Val! #11291481

Dr Silly April 25, 2015 0

Beautiful Grand Prize win Val. :O) #11292251

Teresa Burnett April 26, 2015 0

Loved it before, and still do!! Huge Congratulations on this well deserved Grand Prize Win, Val!! #11292429

Evy Johansen April 26, 2015 0

Congratulations on your Grand Prize Winner, Val! Beautiful image! #11292484

Carol Eade April 28, 2015 0

Big congratulations on your Grand Prize winner, Val! #11293430

Julianne Bradford April 29, 2015 0

Congrats Val! This is so-o deserving of the Grand Prize! You do such beautiful work. I've decided to cut back on BP $50 fee this year, so will be checking in less often. If you are on Facebook, I'd love to "Friend" you. I'm at julianne.bradford at Facebook.com. I look forward to checking in and seeing your beautiful work! #11294117

Lydia Williams May 01, 2015 0

Love Monarchs too Val...this image is great. Congratulations on your BEAUTIFUL WIN! #11294855

Irene Colling May 01, 2015 0

Amazing image Val. Congratulations on Grand Prize photo. #11294914

Cindy Bendush May 01, 2015 0

Lovely work Val - Huge congratulations on your fabulous GPW! #11294990

JO ANN CLEVELAND May 02, 2015 0

Thank goodness is right! Congrats on your GPW! #11295762

Lana Arcemont May 03, 2015 0

Big Congratulations, Val! #11296077

Emile Abbott May 04, 2015 0

Congratulations on your grand prize winner Val. I am running a bit behind. #11296578

Karen Bacon May 05, 2015 0

A huge congratulations on a very well deserved grand prize winner!You go girl!Hope you are done unpacking boxes! #11297046

Becky LeMaster May 13, 2015 0

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRAND PRIZE WINNER VAL!! :) #11301475

Ron Livingston July 23, 2015 0

Awesome editing. Congratulations. #11335855

Sylvia Rourke July 23, 2015 0

Congratulations on your Grand Prize Winner, #11335880

Laura E. Swan July 23, 2015 0

HOLY CROW! I thought I'd mosey on over to your gallery and see if there is a little Gold Dust sprinkled on your gallery and I just got blown away with gold nuggets everywhere! I had to duct at first! Ahahaha! Well my dear, your Whirligig and your Gorgeous Monarch took the Grand Prize and even took names! Very impressive and I am so happy for you. If I ever won the Grand Poupon, I'd faint. (SPLAT). You go girl! You deserve it!
#11335891

Patrick Rouzes July 26, 2015 0

Hi, Val, wondering if you have posted lately. Can't seem to find it. #11337645

Julie Burnett September 13, 2015 0

The warmest of congratulations for capturing the TOP PRIZE at BP, Val!! I always knew you'd be here, it was just a question of when. :) :) #11358432

Guy D. Biechele January 11, 2016 0

Congrats on your Winner!! Just stunning. #11421888

Jeffrey R. Bange February 07, 2016 0

Outstanding capture and presentation Val, well deserving of the Grand Prize. #11432352

Emile Abbott March 10, 2016 0

Congratulations again Val on another Best of the Best DD in 20 years on BP #11444840

Lydia Williams March 11, 2016 0

Congrats Val! :) #11445331

Ellen Hodges March 23, 2016 0

Huge congrats on All Time EP, Val!!! #11450356

Gord MacEachern May 31, 2016 0

This double gold so suits this Val, it's always such a pleasure to view your work.!!! #11480893

Patricia A. Casey June 01, 2016 0

Wowwwwzer.......I'm so delighted for you Val....huge congratulations......=^..^= #11481214

Jeff Robinson August 25, 2016 0

Congrats Val on your recent POTD and your plethora of awards for this wonderful image! #11509138

Tammy M. Anderson August 25, 2016 0

Congrats on a beautiful POTD. #11509155

Michele Peterson August 25, 2016 0

Wonderful to see this one yet again, Val! Congratulations on the POTD to add to the already worthy badges! #11509185

Peggy Pfister August 25, 2016 0

Congrats on this lovely POTD, Val! #11509186

Patricia A. Casey August 25, 2016 0

Congratularions, Val....on yet another deserving accolade! Cheers on POTD!!! =^..^= #11509214

Nancy L. Green August 25, 2016 0

OUTSTANDING Val, VERY well deserved addition to your already received awards, WTG!!! <>< #11509248

Lydia Williams August 25, 2016 0

Yup, awesome, Congratulations Val! #11509268

Chuck Green August 25, 2016 0

Exquisite!! #11509311

Val Feldman August 25, 2016 0

A big thanks everyone for stopping by and thanks to BP for making my day! #11509415

Leslie McLain August 26, 2016 0

Congrats on all your awards, Val, a beautiful capture. #11509474

JO ANN CLEVELAND August 26, 2016 0

Ditto Leslie, that is awesome, a fave for me for sure!! #11509644

Gord MacEachern August 26, 2016 0

Great big congrats again my friend!
This well deserves all the gold it gets!!! #11509693

Ann H. Belus August 26, 2016 0

Congratulations, Val! Awesome image! #11509834

Ann H. Belus August 26, 2016 0

Congratulations, Val! Awesome image! #11509835

Ann H. Belus August 26, 2016 0

Congratulations, Val! Awesome image! #11509836

Mary K. Robison August 27, 2016 0

Is this a well-earned triple Gold Winner, or what, Val? Congrats on such a gorgeous winner!! Love the treatment, too. #11509936

Teresa Burnett September 20, 2016 0

Have always loved this one, Val!! Huge Congratulations on your well deserved POTD!! #11518746

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