The most amazing thing happened!

[10 Gauge]

This is just absolutely crazy. I still have goosebumps as I am typing this. I was outside this morning trying to get a few more pictures of the fawns in the back yard when I spotted a gorgeous butterfly that had landed on my truck mirror. It was just hanging out there and let me get very close and all around for some pictures with my macro lens. I then attempted to pick it up just to see if it would stay on my hand, and sure enough, no problem! I called for my wife and she had a crazy idea of trying to get a picture of this gorgeous butterfly on our sons urn. Well, we made it happen. I am disappointed that I didn't get a better setting / backdrop for the photo but we didn't know how much time we might have to capture this image so we just took it as quickly as possible. I still believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that presented itself and this has absolutely made my day!!!

 

[Pretzel]

Very cool, my friend. And the background doesn't matter, as the shot is beautiful!

 

[SteveL54]

What a fantastic event! Beatiful shot, Matt!!

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Photography Rule #1: GET... THE... SHOT.

As for "fixing" the background, should you decide you want to go that route; Gaussian Blur filter... To the rescue!
....

 

[10 Gauge]

Here's the same butterfly before I was able to gently coax him on to the urn.... Beautiful specimen!

 

[carguy]

Such a great opportunity and certainly not wasted! Great shots there

 

[Felisek]

Matt, do you know that in Japanese culture butterflies represent souls of the living and the dead. Your first picture would be very touching and symbolic for any Japanese. I'm not Japanese, but I find it very touching.

Butterfly in my hand –
As if it were a spirit
Unearthly, insubstantial

 

[paul04]

Excellent shot,

That is one picture that needs to be printed, so everyone can see it.

 

[Bourbon Neat]

That is an awesome event, well done in the capturing.

 

[Marcel]

This is a WOW! for sure.

 

[Michael J.]

Amazing shot, story, and inspiration

 

[weebee]

Beautiful. That's truly a dedication.

 

[§am]

A real heartstring tugger of a picture.

 

[Roy1961]

nicely done

 

[Vincent]

Very emotional picture, great photography work as well.

 

[Lawrence]

Beautifu photo, beautiful tribute.

I got goosebumps seeing it with that story.

Truly magnificent.

 

[10 Gauge]

Thank you all for the wonderful comments!

I posted the picture in post #5 on my Flickr account and somehow it got noticed an added to some "in Explore" group which I guess is some kind of big deal? I had a bunch of people congratulating me on getting my photo picked for the explore group and have been getting flooded with favorites.... I think it's over 250 favorites right now and over 6,000 views. By far the most love I've ever received on a photo on Flickr.

On a side note, the butterfly was back this morning. Oddly enough he was just sitting very calmly on the front door mat, right in the middle, facing the front door, like he was waiting to be let inside. I can't help but think that this butterfly is in some way linked to the spirit of our son. He holds a very special spot in my heart now.

Edit: It makes for a pretty great desktop background at work too.