{"id":73409,"date":"2021-09-02T10:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-09-02T14:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=73409"},"modified":"2021-08-26T10:39:36","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T14:39:36","slug":"how-to-photograph-the-monarch-butterfly-migration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/how-to-photograph-the-monarch-butterfly-migration\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Photograph the Monarch Butterfly Migration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fall brings more than cool weather and colorful leaves to North America. It\u2019s also the season for the mesmerizing Monarch Butterfly Migration, with millions of copper-hued monarch butterflies traveling 3,000 miles north to south before reaching their final stop: central Mexico. This dazzling migratory event \u2014 the only kind like it among butterflies \u2014 is visible in migration pathways across the country from September through November. (See here for Monarch Watch\u2019s migration map<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

To help you make the most of this fall\u2019s butterfly migration, we talked with renowned U.K. wildlife and macro photographer Ross Hoddinott<\/a>, who\u2019s been photographing insects since age ten. In fact, Hoddinott wrote a book on macro photography. You can find it via Ammonite Press at\u00a0Digital Macro & Close-Up Photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here are his top tips to help you nail those butterfly migration photographs this year.<\/p>\n

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Marbled white butterfly {Melanargia galathea} roosting among tall grasses at sunrise and bathed in warm, early morning sunlight, Volehouse Moor, Devon, UK. July 2018. Photo by Ross Hoddinott.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Butterfly Migration Photography Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t rush<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As any wildlife photographer can attest, capturing the perfect shot takes time \u2014 and the same goes for butterflies.<\/p>\n

\u201cPatience is key,\u201d Hoddinott said. \u201cI\u2019d also say a good understanding of the subject and its preferred habitat and food plants is beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoddinott recommends early morning or late evening for photo timing. That\u2019s when butterflies tend to be less active and therefore, easier to photograph.<\/p>\n

If you are able to locate insects roosting (at rest), it can be possible to set up a tripod and have more control over the picture-taking process, background choice, focusing, framing, and lighting.<\/p>\n

Use a macro lens<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If money allows, Hoddinott recommends a macro lens.<\/a><\/p>\n

“Although close-up filters and auto extension tubes offer a great cut-price introduction to shooting frame-filling shots of insects,\u201d he said, noting that\u2019s how he started out as a child.<\/p>\n

Hoddinott uses the Nikkor 200mm Micro<\/a> lens that, while \u201cold\u201d in the world of gear, is \u201coptically superb.”<\/p>\n

\u201cIts telephoto length provides a good working distance that helps minimize subject disturbance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He recommends using it on a tripod for stability. The Nikkor Z MC 105mm Micro<\/a> is his go-to for hand-held shooting.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t overlook background<\/strong><\/h4>\n

While it\u2019s easy to focus on the subject at hand \u2014 butterflies \u2014 Hoddinott mentioned that the backdrop is equally important to make those bold colors pop.<\/p>\n

\u201cI work hard to create clean, diffused backgrounds that my subject will stand out against,\u201d he said. \u201cMy backgrounds are always natural and created either through putting distance between my subject and its background, or a shallow depth of field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clean, clutter-free backgrounds that are void of distractions are a must-have. To really capitalize on those enchanting colors, he recommends shooting either during the morning or evening when the soft light brings out the natural richness in each color.<\/p>\n

Be still<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Just as important as being patient? Staying still.<\/p>\n

\u201cInsects react to sudden movements, so it\u2019s important to move into position slowly, but efficiently, avoiding any rapid or jerky movements,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In addition to keeping tabs on your own body, Hoddinott recommended watching your shadow as well: \u201cBe careful not to cast your shadow across your subject either, as this may alarm it and it will fly away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enjoy the challenge<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The first couple attempts at photographing the monarch butterfly migration may be trying. You can\u2019t control what the butterflies do and how they move. Therefore, you have to be patient and work with what\u2019s at hand.<\/p>\n

But fear not, because it will get better. Hoddinott mentioned it\u2019s the challenge of proper composition and <\/em>patience that keeps him coming back for more.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing able to reveal and highlight exquisite miniature detail, shape, color, and design that\u2019s often unseen or overlooked by others is rewarding,\u201d he said. \u201cButterflies are such beautiful animals, they\u2019re so varied and interesting. I enjoy getting close to these creatures and enjoy the challenge of trying to photograph them in a creative or unconventional way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Common blue butterflies {Polyommatus icarus} resting on grasses, Vealand Farm, Devon, UK. June 2017. Photo by Ross Hoddinott.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to see the fall monarch butterfly migration<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To determine when it\u2019s time to catch the monarch butterflies in your area, follow Journey North\u2019s butterfly-migration map<\/a>. This helpful map aggregates user-reported sightings and provides one of the best snapshots of the migration progress (similar to a fall-foliage leaf-color report<\/a>). You can also participate in the migration tracking yourself by reporting a monarch-butterfly sighting near you<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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Green veined white butterfly {Pieris napi}, roosting on Cow parsley {Anthriscus sylvestris}, early morning light, Broxwater, Cornwall. May 2021. Photo by Ross Hoddinott<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ross Hoddinott\u2019s photography kit<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hoddinott, a longtime Nikon photographer and Nikon UK alumni, shared his go-to gear for insect photography. These are the items he swears by:<\/p>\n