Small butterflies have a special, delicate beauty all their own, like this Gray Hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus) that I photographed in mid-August at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia.
BugGuide states that this is the most common hairstreak in North American, but this is only the second time that I have seen one. Based on my limited observation of American women, I would assert that the blond hairstreak is the most common one, though, as a bald guy, I realize that hair is not my area of expertise.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Its eye looks really alien. If that is an eye!
Great photograph! the silkyness of the wings are lovely, and good colours.
Beautiful butterfly and the colours of the image all work so well together. If paunchy guys can be sports coaches, I see no reason why you couldn’t be a hair expert!
Such a beauty! I have never seen a butterfly like that.
Beautiful colors in these photos, Mike, the first one in particular, with the repeat orange in the background complementing the orange spot on the BFs wing. I don’t think I have seen one of these, despite it being “common”.
Thanks, Sue. These butterflies are pretty small and I don’t see them very often. You and I share the same view about the colors in the first photo–there was no way I was going to crop out the orange in the background.
awe..so beautiful dear…lovely work I must say Mike
Thanks. With butterflies this small, there is a lot of luck involved in getting a good shot.
that’s true and also u need to get them still otherwise movement makes it hard to take the pics 🙂
Absolutely stunning!
Hey, as one (nearly) bald guy to another, be real careful what you say about the larger species that you mentioned in passing. “Most common” is meaningless with them–in fact, they may perceive it as less than a compliment. On the other hand, did you get a chance to observe the insect variety closely enough to notice that they are able to move the tiny appendages at the extreme lower tips ov their posterior wings independently? This absolutely fascinated me when they were around in considerable number for me to observe last summer. I’m sure it wasn’t, um, just my imagination…
I haven’t observed enough hairstreak butterflies to see if they actually move those little appendages independently. What would they use them for? Steering?
These photos are so divine, Mike. As I was reading along, learning about the species, I was so surprised to get your hilarious punchline. Burst out with a laugh. Lovely post in all ways.
I have a quirky sense of humor, Jet, and sometimes I can’t help but inject it into my posts. Although my postings sometimes are educational, I like for them to be interesting and even fun. 🙂
Your path on this earth is a gift to many of us, Mike. Thank you, my friend.