Cockrell Butterfly Center

[anorcross]

Well, I finally made it to Cockrell Butterfly Center (in the Museum of Natural History) this week (it's spring break at Rice, so the students aren't bugging me to teach them). It's a really neat place. A simulated rainforest environment. Lots of butterflies (surprise surprise), but other things too, including some fairly gross bugs (behind glass, but alive). I was a bit put out when an official told me I couldn't use my monopod (new policy, apparently). They were worried about kids tripping over it. I can understand that a tripod might be a problem, but a monopod? If a kid was going to trip over a monopod s/he would be tripping over me! I used the Canon 100 F2.8 Macro on my Rebel with onboard flash and a little positive FEC (1/3-2/3). I got some shots I'm happy with, though I could probably have done better and spent longer there without the several parties of loud gradeschoolers. My wife refuses to look when I have this one on the computer 1/200 F11:

She can just about stand to look at this guy 1/200 F11:

And she's happy with this one 1/200 F8:

Some more at http://homepage.mac.com/anorcross/Cockrell/index.html

[Sheldon]

nice shots! I had no idea about the "monopod" rule! Ive been there several times and never had a problem. Once I even took in my tripod, but I kind of see where it was blocking people at times....but monopod ?? Guess I'll go for the handheld approach next time.

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by anorcross

Well, I finally made it to Cockrell Butterfly Center

Those are great shots. Can't wait until I get my 100mm f2.8 macro!

By the way, the absolute grossest thing in that entire is the roaches! My wife and daugther don't even walk pass that!

[dane714]

#3 Does it for me!

[yunxin]

I went to the butterfly center yesterday, carrying my camea bag and holding my monopod in hand. The girl at the entrance was nice asking if I was coming to
photograph butterflies. I was a bit afraid that she would say no monopod to
me but nothing of the sort was mentioned. I was shooting for about an hour
and saw a couple of employees inside, but again no body said anything to
me for using my monopod.

Anyway, I had a good time and would like shae a couple pictures here.
Can anyone tell me how to post picture here please.

[anorcross]

Originally Posted by yunxin

I went to the butterfly center yesterday, carrying my camea bag and holding my monopod in hand. The girl at the entrance was nice asking if I was coming to
photograph butterflies. I was a bit afraid that she would say no monopod to
me but nothing of the sort was mentioned. I was shooting for about an hour
and saw a couple of employees inside, but again no body said anything to
me for using my monopod.

Anyway, I had a good time and would like shae a couple pictures here.
Can anyone tell me how to post picture here please.

Maybe it's only a rule when they have a school party there. They did say that they were worried about the children tripping over it. That would be a good reason to go on a weekend.
To post pictures you need to have them hosted on a site like Pbase, Smugmug, .Mac, etc. Once they are on the site, you copy the image url into a post for this forum, making sure it ends in 'jpg' (if it ends in 'html', just change that to 'jpg'), and enclose it with the Img tags using the buttons at the top of the screen.
I look forward to seeing your pictures.

[dane714]

Nice shots...wish I was allowed in there! I go past it every day.

[yunxin]

The following link will take you to my sample pictures:

http://home.earthlink.net/~yunxinfu/butterflysamples/

As this is my first serious use of Canon 180mm macro, I know that I
would do better next time. Anyway, all comments are wellcome.

[saroy]

Originally Posted by yunxin

I went to the butterfly center yesterday,

Hey, I was at the museum yesterday helping with the Yuri's Night activities...maybe you walked right past me! :)

[yunxin]

Originally Posted by saroy

Hey, I was at the museum yesterday helping with the Yuri's Night activities...maybe you walked right past me! :)

I was there between around 12:30pm-2pm. There were quite a number of
people taking pictures and one lady was kind enough to point me to her secret shooting spot, but I was the only one with monopod.

[WLPelzmann]

Nice series, Alastair!
Thanks for the warning. I was there last year with a tripod - no problems. I wonder if it's a rule change or just variable, depending on conditions :?:

[Mike Roden]

Twice per year they have a plant sale. Plants that butterflies feed and breed on. I found this little fella on one of the plants I brought home from the sale. Not sure what he is, or will be.

[bburton]

Mike,

That shot is wonderful. I think it's one of the best macros posted here recently -- such faithful, bright colors, and we've seen some doozies, for sure. Keep 'em coming; you've got the goods.

[Mike Roden]

Thank you very much. I was just so amazed at this little creature and so surprised to find him. I really know nothing about butterflies but just might have to learn. Here a a couple of other shots from the same session (that's what I call it when I chase a bug around with a camera) If anyone can identify this creature I'd appreciate it.

[krviera]

Originally Posted by anorcross

They were worried about kids tripping over it. I can understand that a tripod might be a problem, but a monopod? If a kid was going to trip over a monopod s/he would be tripping over me!

I had the same problem the last time I took a tripod, so I asked about monopods to a manager and he said that it was alright. My next visit I took the monopod and they let me through the door with no problem at all, but one of the ladies inside the excibit did not like seen the monopod. I had to talk her into the idea that the monopod would be close to my body and like you said, if someone was to trip on the monopod they would also trip on me. Finally she gave up and let me use it, but the rest of the time she washed me like a hawk.