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Eros.


Eros.
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter Stoeckl (peter_stoeckl) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1738 W: 291 N: 4005] (11530)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-26
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-H5
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/200 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Lycaenidae Butterflies, Hohe Tauern National Park [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-11-24 6:31
Viewed: 6216
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 64
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Eros.

Polyommatus eros (Ochsenheimer, 1808)

Eros blue
Eros-Bläuling
Vlaggewikkeblauwtje
Azuré de l'oxytropide
Niño Amoroso

Genus: Polyommatus
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Family: Lycaenidae

Wing span 26 – 28 mm.


In ancient Greek mythology, ἔρως was the son of Aphrodite. As we all know, his mother was in love with many gods, so his father’s identity is in doubt. Was it Ares, was it Hephaestos. Was it Zephyrus, the god of the winds? Or Hermes, the god of postmen, merchants and thieves? Who knows.

Today, when hiking in July and August through the steep grassy rocky slopes of Grossglockner, the Austrian Mount Olympos, there is still a good chance to meet ἔρως. But to stay incognito, he long ago transformed into a little butterfly, a very cute one.

When opening his wings in the bright sunshine, a fresh male Eros is sending flashes of a brilliantly lustrous bright blue. Females are dark brown with just little blue, and orange submarginal spots. The Eros blue is strictly confined to montain regions at high elevations. It may be seen in the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, the southwestern and central Alps of France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, the Apennines, in mountain regions of Bosnia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and also in the mountains of western and central Asia.

The shiny little butterflies inhabit flowering grassy slopes over silicate rocks up to 2700m, usually well above the forest line. They can be seen from July to September in one generation. Caterpillars feed on Oxytropis halleri, Oxytropis campestris, hibernating in symbiosis with ants (Formica lemani, Myrmica galliennii).

Like many others of the Lycaenidae family, the Eros blue can be seen gathering in large numbers on wet spots.

Eros seems to enjoy sucking minerals and organic substances from the ground, but it also loves flowers.


>>> The undersides of wings.

The Location: Rocky alpine meadows at the slopes of Grossglockner, at an elevation of 2250m above sealevel.


References:

Tom Tolman, Richard Lewington: Die Tagfalter Europas und Nordwestafrikas. Stuttgart 1998.

Christopher Jonko: Butterflies and Moths of Europe: http://www.lepidoptera.pl/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eros_%28mythology%29


Camera:

SONY DSC-H5, 3072 x 2304 pixel, sRGB, 18mm macro (= 108mm at 35mm SLR), F/6.3, 1/200sec., ISO-125; exposure bias: -0.3, no tripod, no flash; 26.08.2007, 14:34.


Postwork:

Photoshop Elements, slightly cropped, downsized to web, selectively sharpened, levels saturation slightly adjusted.

Thank you for visiting ἔρως.
Have a very good weekend.
batu, vanderschelden, Alex99, PeterZ, Argus, mariki, flashpoint, phlr, XOTAELE, marcellr, anel, Ena, undoredo, angybone, JoseMiguel, jmp, Isu, tiklod, nirmalroberts, marhowie, uleko has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jmp: ... contemplationpeter_stoeckl 1 12-02 12:34
To batu: Bläulingserie.peter_stoeckl 2 11-25 01:15
To anel: Olymp : )peter_stoeckl 1 11-24 10:45
To vanderschelden: 'Eros', always better than 'Thanatos'...peter_stoeckl 1 11-24 07:14
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1079 W: 293 N: 4497] (16383)
  • [2007-11-24 6:40]
  • [+]

Hallo Peter,
du machst also weiter mit deiner Bläulingserie?! Das typische Blau des kleinen eros hast du sehr gut getroffen. Der Fokus auf Flügel, Kopf, Antenne und Beine is perfekt. Die Gesamtkomposition mit der Positionierung des Falters auf dem 'wippenden' Ende der Grasblüte gefäät mir sehr gut. Nicht erkärlicf ist mir die leichte Unschärfe auf der Flügelfläche hinter dem Kopf.
Schöne Größe, Peter

Ciao Peter,
quello che apprezzo maggiormente nelle tue foto, sempre tecnicamente impeccabili, è la loro luminosità!
Complimenti anche per l'ottima inquadratura.
Grazie,
Marcello

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 505 W: 0 N: 847] (3307)
  • [2007-11-24 6:48]

Hello Peter, what a fantastic note, very educational and different. It goes well with a superb shot of this beautiful Butterfly. I love the pov showing both sides of the wings. Your focus and sharpness is excellent with very good detail. And the colours 'brilliantly lustrous bright blue', what an eloquent description you give of the colour. Great shot and excellent compositon.
tfs
debz

Bonjour Peter
Très belle réalisation avec un bleu qui est magnifique (une fois de plus)
Excellente prise et netteté, très beau sujet.
Amicalement Robi

Hello Peter,
Good idea to share 'Eros', always better than 'Thanatos'...
Good work!
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-11-24 7:07]

Hello Peter,
Lovely capture of an Eros Blue, the typical turquoise blue shining even when we see the thumbnail. Excellent POV and pose and pleasing composition against a natural OOF BG. Lovely lighting too, all of which helps to brighten up the grey gloom of the weather in S. Sweden.
Well done and thanks,
Enjoy your weekend,
Ivan

Hola Peter, captada de manera increíble la textura de las alas, cosa que tiene bastante dificultad por ese color tan reflectante. Buen detalle el poder ver también aunque sea parcialmente, el dibujo del ala anterior. Luz más que correcta y sobrada profundidad. Preciso enfoque en todo el cuadro.

Saludos: J. Ignasi

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2007-11-24 7:09]

Hello Peter,
a gorgeous photo!
+++ The colours are so vivid!
Great POV that is unique but works very well.
Very sharp aswell.
Great DOF and a good BG.
--- Some slight OE on part of the wing but I think my moniter is too bright so it's not a problem :)
Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2007-11-24 7:11]

Hello Peter,
Another excellent photo of this Butterfly. The colours on the wings are amazing. Very good focus with perfect sharpness and details.
Fantastic POV and composition. Superb note.
Regards,
Peter

Ciao Peter
oltre a delle catture stupende mi piace molto il suo modo di esporre le caratteristiche dell'insetto proposto a tutti noi....
quasi una storia appassionante con riferimenti storici e grande cognizione della natura
veramente grande lavoro Peter
......complimenti.... sERGIO

Hello Peter,
Another good pose of the beautiful butterfly well captured!
excellent DOF in perfect sharpness, vivid colour and so much details in the shot!
very well done and a great notes too!
have a wonderful sunday
Tony

Preciosa macro con unos detalles finísimos.
Buena presentación y nota.
Saludos, JL.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2007-11-24 9:30]

Ciao Peter,mi ha colpito in particolare il colore delle ali.ci sono delle sfumature splendide,sembrano in tessuto di raso...un capolavoro,ciao Luciano

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2007-11-24 10:21]
  • [+]

Lieber Peter,
Geschmunzelt hab ich schon über den oeterreichischen Olymp! Dass sich dort der kleine Eros-Bläuling tummelt, ist somit eine natürliche Sache. Ueber die Vaterschaft möchte ich nicht spekulieren, aber der Zephyrus hätte meine Sympathie.
Ich staune nur wie die Flügel leuchten, so etwas kann man fast nicht wiedergeben und auf sowas die Damen nicht widerstehen. Schöne Pose auf dem feinen Halm. Bezauberndes Bild.
Einen schönen Abend
Anne

  • Great 
  • bizsu Silver Star Critiquer [C: 41 W: 0 N: 6] (160)
  • [2007-11-24 12:01]

Hi Peter,
Wonderful butterfly. Very beautiful photo. Beautiful colours. Congratulate ! TFS.
Greeting, Zsú

Hi Peter,
wie er schillert und glänzt, und sich so dekorativ gesetzt hat, ich bin begeister.
Ein wundervolles Bild, Danke und Gruß
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 324 W: 61 N: 594] (2454)
  • [2007-11-24 16:44]

Hi Peter!
Wonderful shot!
Nice colors and good sharpness!
Ena

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2007-11-25 0:22]

Hello Peter,
splendid pic,
beautiful colors and details... your works are always very documented,
greetings friend.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2007-11-25 0:45]

Hi, dear Peter.
I like your both shots, which give us together with brilliant note complete idea about this little beauty. Composition of these shots are excellent and POV is very impressive. I also like nice subject created only by tender ear and butterfly. As usual you have reflected amazing colour palette of the butterfly wings excellently. Their blur-silver tones are so fine. BG is also wonderful. well coloured and smoothed. Superb art and deductive works. Thanks a lot and good weekend.
Alexei.

Hello Peter,

Great capture! Very beautiful composition. I love the shiny blue of the wings.
Well done,
Cheers
Mariki

Hello Peter,
Wow! Very beautiful little butterfly you present here.
You've captured very beautiful blue colours on the wings, with excellent details and superb focusing.
Also, I personally love this POV & composition very much. :-)
Well presented with your note as well.
TFS and best wishes,
Kevin

  • Great 
  • sela Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 47 W: 0 N: 39] (738)
  • [2007-11-25 3:45]

Deine Schmetterlingsbilder sind ja nicht mehr zu toppen! Klasse!
LG Rose

What a beautiful butterfly - an amazing living blue color. Gorgeous!

perfect exposure and nice POV
good shot of that nice specimen
regards
jo

Hi Peter,
Excellent POV and stunning the focus on the eye!
I like so much the sharpness seen on the head and the antennas, so thin and well rendered.
A great composition so pleasant to look at, with that nicely blurred background.
My compliments and thanks for share it.
Best regards,
JM

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1659 W: 95 N: 2273] (8415)
  • [2007-11-25 11:54]
  • [+]

Hi Peter,
A very nice pose and beautiful colours. I specially like the bright light in the wing and catchs the attention and guides the contemplation of this tiny beauty.
TFS and best regards,
José M.

  • Great 
  • Isu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 313 W: 0 N: 21] (1663)
  • [2007-11-25 15:10]

Saludos peter, excelente pov, bonito efecto de perfiles suavizados, colores agradables... Sira

  • Great 
  • tiklod Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 290 W: 74 N: 875] (3397)
  • [2007-11-25 15:18]

Hello Peter,

Thanks for your last comments...
This butterfly is also a FANTASTIC SHOT... WONDERFUL VIVID COLOURS! Very beautiful pose on this grass. Lovely BG and perfect details too :-)
Best regards my friend

Claude

Hi Peter,
Nice "seesaw" pose by this beautiful butterfly. Good capture. Informative note as ever. TFS.
- Nirmal

Dear Peter,
Sharp details with the subject well seen from your BG. Very good colors & well composed with great exposure..
An excellent POV, your trademark :)
Very well done,
Howard

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-12-02 12:15]

Hello Peter,
Very beautiful capture of this rarely seen butterfly with beautiful blue/turquoise colours on the wings. Great details and I like its pose at the tip of the dry grass.
Nice soft background too in this excellent composition.
TFS and regards, Ulla

bonjour peter
voila une photo parfaite de ce joli papillon qui n'a fait beaucoup courrir.
les couleurs sont belles et surtout celle du sujet qui devient presque metallisé.
bonne netteté aussi.
laurent

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