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Model train meets real world. Harrison Rd., Wallingford CT
An Atlas model train, (N-Scale 1:160), of a Conrail GP-40 locomotive from the 70’s with cars was photographed in studio. A 1970’s diecast model Ford Pickup was also photographed in studio. A Nikon D7100 with a Nikon 105MM, F2.8, MACRO lens was used. The train consisted of 62 images all at various focus points and merged into one final photograph. The car consisted of 18 images all at various focus points and meged into one final photography. Helicon Focus stacking software created the final images. The scene is a railroad crossing on Harrison Rd. in Wallingford CT. photographed with a Sony A7RII 42.2 MP mirrorless camera and a Sony 24-105,…
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Model train meets real world. Original trains station downtown, Wallingford CT
Using photoshop I merged a close up photo of an N scale (1:160) model train with an actual image of Wallingford CT’s downtown railroad station. The locomotive EMD SD P4 F and each passenger car is about 5″ long and about 1″ tall. They type 1 phase II which represents the type of engine, cars and paint scheme that rain the tracks of Amtrack in CT during the late 70’s and 80’s. The Wallingford Railroad Station, built in 1871 by the Hartford & New Haven Railroad on the Springfield Line is an historic building as still stands today. It was a daily stop along Amtrak’s New Haven, Hartford, Springfield line…
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Praying Mantis
Interesting facts about the praying Mantis: There are about 2000 species of Praying Mantis but only 18 species live in North America. The remainder live in tropical climates. In 1977 the State of Connecticut named the European Praying Mantis the state insect. It is not native to North America but fairly proflific. They have approximately a 1 year lifespan and females will typically lay their eggs in fall as they develop through winter. Females will frequently cannibalize their male counterpart during the reproductive process. The large majority of Preying Mantis have two eyes but only one ear located on their underside just forward of the hind legs. This ear comes…
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Swallowtail Butterfly
This butterfly was busy jumping from flower to flower. I believe in belongs to the Swallowtail family of which there are over 550 species but I’m no butterfly expert. Fun Facts: Butterflies taste with their feet allowing them to quickly identify food sources. They only consume liquids which are typically nectar. Butterflies cannot fly below 55 deg. F. Their ideal temperatures for thriving and flying are between 85-100 deg. F. On cold days they are forced to either shiver or bask in the sunshine to warm up their body temperatures. The lifespan of a butterfly consists of the caterpillar stage, the pupa stage and the adult butterfly stage. Depending…
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Bumble Bee Closeup
This bumble bee was very busy today making his way from flower to flower. I felt he created a striking image as he contrasted with the purples and greens. Photographed with a Nikon D7100 APS-C, 24.1 MP camera and a Nikon 105 mm, f/2.8 MACRO lens. 1/1000th, f9, ISO 1600
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Black Swallowtail Butterfly (Caterpillar Stage)
This caterpillar, if he’s fortunate enough to come to full maturity, will end up a Black Swallowtail Butterfly. I found him, as well as several others, munching on this dill plant. The dill plant is one of their favorite food choices. Caterpillars are preyed upon by many species of birds as well as, yellow jackets, and some beetles. In some parts of the world man is their worst enemy as they are eaten for their nutritional value. They are found in tree tops, garden plants and sometimes grassy areas where they find food in all these locations. Life cycle of a Black Swallowtail Butterfly: Egg Stage (where a butterfly lays…
