Very nice composition with lots of emotional content. I agree: B&W did it best!
73... ~jessM

That first remark seems inappropriate to me. I gather that the gentleman is a friend and will work pro bono and not for hire. Here in the US, the term "elected" denotes that he is shooting as a favor to friends. He is asking us for advice, and you then gave him some I think he can work with..... 73... ~jessM

Thanks again, to Sippy, and to Mark, who reminded me of FLICKR and other places. I haven't been holding that Tamron 150-600 mm steady enough since my -- recent -- 86th birthday, so I might go for a longish monopod. I doubt I'd be mistaken for Gandalf... I'm too short... :-)
73... ~jess
PS: I'm told that use of the word "shekel" is no longer acceptable. I meant no offense; I picked it up from a very good friend, the late Dr. Sid Cassin, Prof of Physiology at FL Med; Sid was my mentor in grad school; I miss him.

Many thanks, Sippy....
I still haven't had a chance to try the Tamron 150-600 'scope after finding that one leg of our tripod isn't holding (cracked height holders). I'm repairing it now.
Thanks also for reminding me of the need for a near-subject flash. Not in summertime, perhaps; FL has light (and heat) to spare these days. But eventually, we'll need to mount a couple of flashes.
At my age, and with no "heirs" interested in photography, I'm not really gung ho about spending all those shekels on just one lens, but I'm far from giving up on the idea, so I'm collecting all your opinions, looking at options, and trying to accumulate those shekels... :-)
Best Regards.... ~jess

Thanks!! That could be a deal breaker -- unless mirrorless Nikons might eventually come in compatible format. For now, however, I'm testing the Tamron 150-600 mm lens per suggestions made here. If that works out, I might be able to "save" $1.8K.... :-)
I'm grateful for all suggestions received so far... 73... ~jess

Thanks to all for these responses. I own a Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3, used for bird shots. But I'd not considered it for b'flys. Duuhhh… We'll give it a go. Mil gracias! … ~jess

I own a Nikon D7100. I also own an AF Micro Nikkor 1:2.8 D, and I use them both constantly. I've had the lens for about 15 y, and I couldn't live without it. However, I'm beginning to lust after the Nikon AF FX Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED, for around $1800, because butterflies and other skittish critters like them demand more working distance. That's a helluva lot of money in any case -- certainly more than I should spend, and my conscience is beginning to talk to me. Moreover, I'm a bit worried about the future: When mirror-less Nikons are the only Nikons on the market, would my pricey 200 mm Micro-NIKKOR still work on a mirror-less camera? That's today's worry. Any/all advice will be welcomed. 73... ~jess

The tail image has a ghost. Have you any thoughts on that? Aside from that, I've never seen hummer wings stop on a single flash. Have you calculated the equivalent shutter speed? I know it's late, but had to ask...there's something going on there.... :-)

Well, you were perhaps close enough to see structure, and we're certainly not. My first thought was Liatris. Maybe L. spicata, because that's what's growing in our Central FL garden.
Let us know what you discover, please... ~jess

I now know the identity of Nickonian72's rig, thanks to some clever -- and helpful -- folks at Fotodiox. We have a source as well, and I've just picked it up via eBay, for about ten bucks. It's an old Linhof ball jointed L bracket. Now, to add a few more bells & whistle and set it up with our existing 600 speed light.
Thought you'd all like to know.... 73.... ~jessM

I've located every piece except the ball head. Could you please direct me to a source.
Thanks.... ~jess

I'm wondering about mounting hardware. I have a VELLO CB-600 Straight Flash Bracket that might take the SB-600 out far enough. But maybe my reasoning is off. I think there is a ball mount in your photo, but what else. Would you list the HW you're using to to rig the softbox on the camera? thanks... ~jess