If you watch both videos you will catch more nuance. Please do tell me which music suits you best. Remember if you do tear up, Thanks GOD your fully human and alive.

Algis, you are amazing, my friend.
Thank you.
R♥

Algis, beautiful work as always.

I liked the music in the first video--sort of reminded me of the Twin Peaks theme, which I always thought was hauntingly lovely.

I'm sorry, Algis. I couldn't even make it all the way through your first one. This is not a single hankie viewing for me.
It's a heart-breaker.
You see elephants mourning their losses, but you never think even butterflies do grieve.....
I gotta go blow my nose.
R

Algis - my friend - I am touched by this. It is the circle of life from a different perspective. Yet, there is a certain amount of grace in the whole scene. Either song is ok by moi. Rated with a Jali smile of course. :-)

Algis,I guess I am" fully human and alive"
This is heartbreaking.
I like the first music although it is sad.
I saw a swordfish morn for his mate once.I will never forget this.

Thank you for reminding me that we all are part of creation.

~r~

I like the second music,too.It's more meditative.

Correction:Mourn

I like the second music,too.It's more meditative.

Well, I wimped out, got one minute into the first one and it was too heartbreaking, the second one may have been easier but I lasted only a few seconds. Humans often seem primitive in their lack of understanding that other species may not have high intellect but it doesn't make them without empathy. Often animals seem to have higher levels of empathy than humans.

Here is a video of a squirrel protecting a dead squirrel by fighting off three crows as they want at it, at the end it uses it's little tail to cover the dead one and lays down next to it. Sad and sweet but not astonishing, it may have been the mother of the dead one. The comments were the only things that surprised me, maybe some people are dead before their bodies. I don't know.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help on the music. I do thank God that I'm fully human and alive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sOw3mCz4Oc

For me, neither music selection does justice to the image. Right now I'm listening to Adagio in G Minor by Albinoni and watching your video without sound... maybe a cliche but I've always been moved by that piece. Your edit nearly matches the music as if it were choreographed.

Forgot the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMbvcp480Y4
Great piece of work Brian.

It is so clear that she is mourning
how amazing that you and your camera
were there to see the wake
some kisses goodbye
memories
rated with love

Astounding, Algis. Who woulda thunk an insect could have such feelings? Maybe it was his mother or hers, or they were siblings?

So poignant. Your photographs capture the sorrow so well. Thanks, Algis.

The scream of the butterfly. This was like being stabbed with an icicle. I would give you a Pulitzer Prize for this one. Your own antennas were really "out" on this micro-Tragedy. I liked the reeling appeal to the cloudy heavens. Can we grasp that all our feelings are one? This goes onto facebook for all who can see.
Rated (isn't a good enough word) You are a good soul.

I watched it in fascination. My eyes are dry, because I am so amazed to see this. I was expecting something a bit less, honestly, requiring me to use my imagination. That said, I worked at a little zoo for almost 7 years and I saw all kinds of things that told me that even many experts would say "can't happen" with the animals I watched. So I was amazed.

It is a bit sad, but I have to say it's hard to get worked up over a butterfly -- even as much as I love animals, including the insects for the most part. It was, though, truly amazing. I will now have to reassess my overall view of their capacity to care.

Now I am left wondering if butterflies also dream? I can't comment on the music. My laptop's sound card is fritzy and I just couldn't get it to work today.

Am I still a human, even though I couldn't cry over it? I was moved -- just moved to amazement and wonder.
--r--

I loved them both. How wonderful is your work.
It sounds redundant but I am in awe.
It reminds me of a ballet. I think it should be.
You are a creative genius.

I used to capture butterfly species and put them under glass. I will never touch another one again.
It is in Buddhism that they revere all life for it may be yours in you next re-incarnation.

How amazing you caught this!

This has been so profound for me I contacted the Museum of Natural Science here in Houston. I worked on The building for the Cockrell Butterfly house. I met a curator who researched butterflies. Lets hope he sees this!

I always believe they are mystic souls.. This proves it.
HUGGGGGGGGGGG

Exquisite.

Exquisite.

Wow.

What incredible footage Algis. I thought those acts of seeming distress over the death of a loved one were confined to mammals.

Even butterflies are suffering these days.

Fantastic, Algis! You always make my day. R

That is incredible. R

Yes, thank God for that. And for the purity of butterfly love. This was/is truly stunning.

I'm fully human. thanks for reminding me. What a gift for storytelling you have. thanks for looking at them and letting us look too.

I like the music in the second one except for the dark rolly bits. For me, the first music was so sweet that it distracted from the imagery, competed with it.

I love everything about butterflies. Did you know Nabokov was a lepidopterist? The colonies of blue morphos in Mexico are dying. and so much more.

Thanks for this intimate look.

I was only able to see the second video, but I was very touched and amazed. I've never seen an insect react like this. I didn't know they could. Our world is so macro, and theirs so micro - I'm glad you took the time to video and share with us.

Algis,I liked the first video and it is the very first time I have seen this.I think that the butterflie is as though trying to wake uρ their friends.Animals have an emotional world more true and heartfull than humans,cause this grieve is ρure on the loss of the friends and on the shock of death.It is this ρurity that makes animals better human.If one is to say that human are better than animals....So thank you for sharing this..a beauty work on such a sad issue.Never had have seen and thank you for the insight and the feelings.Made feel less of a human infront of this butterfly....

Oh my, so sad. I liked the music in the first one. Very moving and very real. Thank you.

jesus Algis
have you seen this before: slowlife it doesn't seem all that much now, but the first time I saw it (i think a slightly different version) I just lost it. Watching them try to live and grow while too damaged to do so was more than I could take.
Your butterfly reminds me of that. I feel sick. I've seen grief. That is grief.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Y'all DO know that butterfly's are cannibalistic, right? RIGHT???

If you watch the butterfly's proboscis you can see it eating (or more accurately drinking) the remains. Those are butterfly kisses, folks!

You peeps are SERIOUSLY cracking me the hell up!!! :D

ok wise woman...that actually would make me feel better, but I'm not taking your word. Prove it. Science article or some other reputable source.

Sorry, Jules... OS isn't letting me post a link.

But here's an excerpt:

"From the moment of birth butterflies display an aggressive side. Survival of the fittest is the motto of many of these young cannibals as comma-sized caterpillars munch away on their siblings.

If its any consolation, butterflies are pedophilic gang rapists as well!

"We tend to romanticize these delicate creatures, but some of them can be downright cruel, participating in an act that's nothing less than cradle rape. There are butterfly species so eager to find mates that they locate a female pupa and perch on it, sometimes four males at a time. Then they wait until the female emerges. That's when she's at her most susceptible. Her wings have yet to open yet, and she's still limp. Facing abdomen to abdomen, the first male's claspers spring from his sides, exposing his penis. the claspers then grab hold of the female and pry open her genitalia. Once he's finished mating, the rest of the males take their turn."

Sweet little things, huh??? :D

*blink, blink*

I don't know whether to be relieved or horrified.

Amy, you are so refreshing! I would never have guessed you're a lepidopterist. Thx for keeping it real. :-)

Algis, I still like your storytelling, and clearly a lot of people do.

Hey, I just had a thought. With your gift for storytelling, how about use the same footage, and tell some ghastly story, like something Amy describes, with different music? I saw the guts somewhere in in the film.
Having them side by side would be an excellent lesson in video storytelling, how sound and image can create something like Twice Told Tales.

Anyway, I loved it and rated it just the way it is.

Sir, you are an audio-visual polymath. Your work this morning which I first saw yesterday midday via Iphone viewing is inspirational. I'd an experience many years ago near that reflective pool in front of the Washington Monument. A smashed dragon fly was mired in the muck winging. A woman I'd met that morning who spoke only French to me lifted the dragon fly and somehow gently worked on it and whispered to it delicately in her palm until the beautiful dragon fly flew off over the calm water and then invisibly skyward.
There is mysticism in your fine renderings, Algis. You consistently present methods of tranquility, harmony, and nearly indescribable eternal perplexity.
Know that your work is loved!

I couldn't watch it, Algis. I'm too tender-hearted. My sister once adopted a cat that was dragging it's injured (hit by car) companion out of the street. Kills me every time I think of it.

This is extraordinary - the seeing, and the way you've shared. Fine music, too.

i watched without the sound. you captured some amazing footage. kudos to you and your skill.

Oh my...somebody from YouTube told me Butterflies are cannibals.
This butterfly might be sucking up the other butterflies juices ? Anyone know about this? I will be back soon to respond to all your fine comments.

Algis,

everyone knows that tigers kill in order to survive.

I have witnessed a tiger mourn for his lost mate.

Nature takes care of cadavers .

Butterflies being cannibals?

Everything in life is a matter of perspective.

J.P.Hart said it so well:

"There is mysticism in your fine renderings, Algis. You consistently present methods of tranquility, harmony, and nearly indescribable eternal perplexity.
Know that your work is loved!"

██████████▄
█CHAMPAGNE█████████"°º„
█████████████▀────"°º¤ø„
───────────────████████──
───────────────████████─.¬
───────────────▀██████▀.──
────────────────▀████▀───
─────────────────▀██▀───
──────────────────██─────
────────────────▄████▄
A glass of this for everyone who commented here plus a long wonderful summer for you too!

FusunA,Thank you Fusuna, Your so amazing for saying that! Hope you have a wonderful summer and that all your wishes come true...
JUNE 08, 2012 02:45 PM


V.Corso Thanks VC, That song is by the same artist, Julee Cruise. It was released on the same album including ±Twin Peaks. It is indeed so very haunting.

Poor Woman This is not a single hankie viewing for me. What a wonderful statement. Your over the top human! Yes I have seen footage of the elephants mourning dead ones. In some cases because elephants operate in a circular pattern which they migrate over the year. They have been know to stop yearly at important places where they lost someone special. Thanks again...and have a great summer PW!


JALI 17 Great...I like them both too and find something interesting in each of them. Yes life is so circular and I am so glad life brought our circles together to. Thanks again J!

Heidi Banerjee OMG a swordfish...I can imagine that but am so glad to hear about this too. Thanks again HB!

Heidi Banerjee, Great!

Heidi Banerjee, OK
JUNE 08, 2012 03:52 PM


l'Heure Bleue,OMG Thanks so much for that video clip. I hear you and agree with much that you say. Let me just see the video here....OMG that is just excellent. JUNE 08, 2012 04:38 PM


jmac1949 I love it when that sort of thing just happens. it feels like it really meant to be combined. Thanks again JM.
JUNE 08, 2012 05:14 PM


RomanticPoetess Yes it does feel like that to me. ThX RP

Chicken Mãâàn Yes that is what I am wondering to. Thanks again CM!

Mary Stanik Oh Mary thanks for that and seeing this.

ASH ... Oh ASH I am speechless with that one. I really appreciate having moved you so, it was worth every word of yours. It didn’t really do much on facebook but I am just glad you saw this.

dunniteowl Thanks so much D. Crying certainly makes you feel good afterwards doesn’t it? Thanks for sharing that and I appreciate every word.

Ande Bliss OMG You have made me speechless again. So all I can say is that I truly love what you wrote and hope you have the best summer.

Dianne Schuch - Lindsey Yes had I not walked down the road this even would have been missed. Thanks again for the good words here DSL.

Dianne Schuch - Lindsey OMG you are just fantastic and I really do appreciate it. Hope you win the lottery Diane then we can start a Butterfly farm?

Linda Seccaspina Nice POV, Now I am wondering more too. Thanks again Linda..


Lea Lane Just like you my dear LL ! Thanks again for that.
Scarlett Sumac, Thanks again SS!

Abrawang Doesn’t it make you wish you cried more at someone funeral? Thanks A. Have a GREAT SUMMER.

VariousArtists I guess so and I am so glad you saw this. Which version did you like I am wondering? Thanks againVA!

Thoth You make me so happy to know that. Thanks again T>

Trudge164 Just like you and your perspectives my dear T> Have a great summer and just how hot does it get down there in the summer?

Cathy GF Wow thanks again and again. I really appreciate that. Have a good one CGF!

Pandora S. Bach OMG don’t say that is true. I love the Blue Morphs. Theyt are supposed to be magical. I guess I am going to pray for them . What on earth is going on? I guess I know though it is us.

ccdarling I think the video revolution has brought alot of things to us via this simple technology. Thanks again and hope you have a great summer CCD!

STATHI STATHI, OMG thanks for that and so glad you got to see it. I do not remember any really striking butterflies in Greece but I am sure they are there. Have a great summer must be swimming time there for you now?
zanelle, Thanks so much for commenting and sharing Z!

hyblaean- Julie Butterfly grief is hard to take but your good and shared such difficult sentiment. Have a good one and may a Butterfly surprise you today , tomorrow or at least soon.

Safe_Bet's Amy, I did not know that and I looked on and suspect you were right. I have to look that up more and this lends itself to another whole group of questions. Maybe the liquids of a shapeshifter are truly important. Imagine drinking the blood of a radioactive Butterfly and becoming ButterflyPerson... Have a good one SBA

hyblaean- Julie OK me too...

Safe_Bet's Amy Holy Cow ! I am speechless over that one. So glad to know this little known fact and it is so fine to have it here. Your good and I hope you have a great summer... Gang raped by Butterflies....who would even imagine that? Thanks again SBA!

hyblaean- Julie, OMG what?

hyblaean- Julie Me too!

Pandora S. Bach sThanks PSB, I am so glad you got inspired here and think I am good story teller. I will think on what you said and see what happens. Thanks again and more PSB!

J.P. Hart I do not know what to say except that thanks so very much for your great words and more. Those are exceptional things to say and I love you for every word. Best to you and yours...Thanks BIGTIME JPH!
JUNE 09, 2012 09:37 AM

Firechick Thanks for dropping by and maybe in a stronger mood you might be able to but it is not necessary because there is some grafic blood shed. Thanks FC!

Spike The Chicken, Spike likes the music, Spike likes the music! Thanks so much Spike!

e. sanders Well thanks to todays dula cameras one has the option of video of video at the click of a button. Thanks again ES!

Heidi Banerjee OMG guess you right as usual.

Heidi Banerjee Yes today I adore JPH. Thanks again and to everyone may this summer be excellently extra PluS some...!

Wow. No souls, huh?

Second music for me.

Butterflies are certainly fragile aren't they?

I've never seen a butterfly behave in this fashion, but then, I've never seen one suffer the loss of friend or family either. I'm so glad you videotaped this and shared it with us. I like the music in the 2nd one best...more mournful and fitting.