Yesterday I was excited to spot several tiny Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies (Everes comyntas) during a brief visit to Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge. What was particularly striking was that these delicate butterflies were perched with their wings partially open, revealing a spectacular blue color. I maneuver to position myself almost directly above one perched close to the ground, waited for it to open its wings fully, and captured this shot.
If you click on this image, you can get a better look at the marvelous details of this male Eastern-Tailed Blue, including the tiny “tails” and the little orange chevrons at the bottom of the hind wings. I was struck by the apparent asymmetry of the butterfly’s wings—the right wings look bigger than those on the left—but wonder if that is simply a consequence of the angle at which I took the shot or perhaps the wings were not fully open and were at slightly different angles.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Fantastic details, Mike! The little hairs edging the wings, the colours appearing like mosaics, the striped antenna. Beautiful as always.
So beautiful! Swoon.
Just lovely, like a delicate flower.
He’s beautiful, Mike. I’ve never seen a blue butterfly.
You might have seen one and not known it, Dan. When the wings are closed, the butterfly is white or gray in color. The first photo in posting from a few years ago shows the same species with closed wings. When you see that photo, you will realize why the blue color is such a nice surprise. https://michaelqpowell.com/2016/09/21/tiny-butterflies-in-northern-virginia/
Beautiful image Mike! Enjoyed seeing it!
Beautiful capture, Mike! What marvelous color and pattern — wonderful details you captured!
Your image is mesmerizing!
Wow, Mike! Spectacular capture of all the details in this butterfly’s beautiful wings.
Mike, it is stunning before you even enlarge it! Beautifully captured in every way!
This little blue butterfly is positively exquisite! The details of the enlarged photo are breathtaking. Sending this off to Benjamin! His two favorite colors on a Flutterby and a plethora of details to explore too. He will be enchanted! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
Beautiful!
Great pic, Mike! So Beautiful! 🦋
Gorgeous capture, Mike. Art doesn’t get much better than this!
Thanks, Eliza. I am often my worst critic, but it is hard for me to think of anything bad to say about this image–everything worked together this time.
What a little bitty pretty one! It reminds me of the hairstreaks that were such frequent visitors in our garden in Omaha. And just the other day, here in Auckland, The Elf spotted a new one to me, a Common Grass Blue, which was quite similar, although without the tail. I got one good shot and hope to post it soon.
This is part of the hairstreak family< Gary, as you probably suspected. I love the fact that this butterfly is pretty plain when its wings are closed, but when it opens them, it reveals the most awesome shade of blue. I looked up some info on your Common Grass Blue, and it has a similar drab exterior and a slightly less brilliant blue inside the wings.
Is this the little butterfly whose wings are whitish when folded? I’ve seen something like that, very tiny, recently. But it’s hard to get a good look because they disappear into the background. This image is so amazingly clear. When I clicked on it and enlarged it, the striped antenna, furry looking scales, orange and blue colors and minuscule “tails” appeared in such detail!
I think we are talking about the same butterfly. Here is a link to a posting I did that shows the butterfly with closed wings in the first photo of the posting. You can see the same little orange chevrons on the outside that you saw on the inside when you enlarged my newest photo. https://michaelqpowell.com/2016/09/21/tiny-butterflies-in-northern-virginia/
Yes! After I posted my comment I read the others and came upon that link. I’m sure it’s the same butterfly.
We are so lucky to have continued access to the outdoors during the pandemic. Sure, I miss being able to do my own grocery shopping, but I don’t feel trapped inside. I go to the park, do taichichuan in my carport, greet my neighbors as we all walk at a safe distance from one another around the neighborhood. Spring is so lovely in this area, and the pandemic hasn’t changed that.
Simply beautiful, Mike. 🙂
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I saw one in our yard, but could not see it with wings opened. Thank you for the close-up study!!
Truly exquisite photo, Mike. Photographing butterflies takes enormous patience, and what a joy it is that your patience yields the beauty for all of us.