Storms of Life - (View Larger)

The shoreline along the beach of our last home, in Wilmot Creek,

Ontario was an interesting walk on most days. This one particular

afternoon, there'd been a mighty wind storm the evening before, and as I

walked upon the stoney shoreline, I noticed so many Monarch

Butterflies. They must have been en route during their Migratory

journey, when this strong wind dashed so many on the rocks. Tears

welled up in my eyes to see such beautiful and delicate creatures,

many with very torn wings, no longer alive, scattered among the rocks.

Their Migration Story always fascinates and amazes me. Such long

distances they fly to reach the haven of the trees in Mexico. Seems

none of us can escape these 'Storms of Life'. (thankyou for viewing,

Gail)

Very nicely presented.I wish no more storm during the migration of this beautiful butterflies.

My warm regards..Kallol

Great work of art using banal elements like butterfly and pieces of stones! That's an artist! Cheers Gail!

PDE

H Gail! Thanks for your recent comments! A nice image here especially the idea of encircling the insect making it somewhat appear as being seen through a magnifying glass! Best wishes JB

Really beautiful work with a nice title, Gail!

I like the title my friend as much as I like this image, well engineered composition wise and the lighting is remarkable, the contents along with the butterfly all work together nicely.

Thank you for sharing it and wishing you all of the best.

Hi dear ail,

I`m sad,also...But I really appreciate your viewing and taking this image and sharing it with us!...Nice view,good tones and wonderful story behind it.

Take care.

Best regards(Bobby).

An excellent idea well carried out . The magnified view in the circle adds to the image . A very apt title . Regards , Bill

PS. Did you get my Email ?

Very creative and beautiful , wonderful idea ........................ Best regards.

Excellent work Gail! The magnifying glass really helps focus the attention on the butterfly! Superbly composed, the feather is a nice touch too! These migrations are a harsh reality of life for these butterflies, and many other species as well. An interesting film regarding these migrations is Great Migrations by National Geographic. Fascinating, but with brutal reality!

All the best,
Neil

Sad story for the butterflies, but very good image :)

original shot gail. very good work

A very impressive compo, very good title and editing plus a thoughtful story, Gail. Bw, Volker

Great work Gail, one of your best.

Interesting and pleasant work!

Gail,

  Again you have touched my heart with your wonderful story & creative image.  Perfect title.  Take care, Patsy

Gail: The photo sure speaks to what you are facing today.  Very interesting integration of the stones and the butterfly. Tom

There is so much of You in this composition... the Soul Of An Artist shines brightly, even on death.

Here, you direct the viewer to take a closer look at 'the marks of other lives beneath their feet'.  Symbolism is your sword, both for your own defense and as a tool to prod others to Really LOOK at the world around them... where they will find themselves reflected, even in the minutiae of life.

This photo makes excellent use of what I call 'Emotional Resonance', where patterns-in-the-ordinary strike-a-chord in your mind, and connect you both to them and to yourself.  An image that empowers insight...

Empathy Through Art

This comment touches me deeply and it will go in my journal right away...your wordsmithing is very beautiful and you put into words, what even I could not understand...at least for what is going on in my mind at this time.  All living things are precious, especially the beautiful ones that delight our eyes and minds..........then there are those more fragile that I still see 'metamorphosizing'.............daily.  The road is treacherous and the skies are filled with wind and dust and memories that swirl continuously around me, till my mind begs for release or some form of rest. 

I think we are all like these delicate butterflies, each with different colors and degrees of strength and stamina....I suppose in a way, we all have 'migratory paths' to take...but oh...so different.  Thank you Dave for those lovely words.  Most sincerely, Gail

Thankyou for those kind words...very understanding...and the connection very poignant.  You may not know it, but I think you wear your insight on your sleave...as well as your heart....tnks so much for your visit and support.  Most sincerely, Gail 

Another sensitive soul...something I think often found in photographers....well for the most part.  Perhaps that is why we take the image....to share with others those things that touch us deeply inside, hoping they too will 'see' and understand.  Thankyou for your visit and very kind words....most sincerely, Gail

You too love these beautiful butterflies.....we see too many precious things 'dashed upon the rocks'.....and these small creatures are wonderful reminders of how fragile life can be.  I know when I found them....I felt 'crushed inside'....how could this be??? But the butterflies are only one in the long list of life's casualties.  A sad revealation...but true.  Thankyou for those lovely words...your empathy for these delicate creatures is touching.  Warm regards, Gail

Many thanks Pierre for those leaving those kind words of critique..you support is most helpful and input invaluable.  Sincerely, Gail

So glad you enjoed this image, you are so  kind to comment and glad you liked the attention to the butterfly.  sincerely, Gail

Thankyou for thinking the title was a strong one and for your very kind words of critique. I do appreciate your support so much....sincerely, gail