Spring beauty and butterfly

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Spring beauty and butterfly

April 14, 2021 by Mike Powell

It is nearly impossible to miss the ostentatious displays of brilliant color as a succession of flowers and trees burst onto the springtime scene. Sometimes, though, they overwhelm my senses and I find myself more drawn to the delicate beauty of the tiny wildflowers that pop up in fields and forests.

Yesterday I was happy to photograph a skittish Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly (Cupido comyntas) as it moved about in a small patch of Spring Beauty wildflowers (Claytonia virginica) in a forested area of Prince William County. With my macro lens, I was able to capture the distinctive “tail” and orange chevrons that help in identifying this tiny butterfly that has a wingspan of only ¾ – 1¾ inches (22 – 29 mm). I also managed to capture the beautiful pink markings of the spring beauties, including the anthers at the tips of the stamens.

It is easy to lose myself in this magical tiny world or perhaps it might be more correct to say that I find myself there.

Posted in Butterflies, Flowers, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, spring | Tagged Canon 50D, Claytonia virginica, Cupido comyntas, Eastern Tailed-blue, Eastern Tailed-blue butterfly, Prince William County VA, Spring Beauty, Spring Beauty wildflowers, Tamron 180mm | 17 Comments

17 Responses

on April 14, 2021 at 8:25 am | Reply Mitzy Bricker

A lovely, gentle photo, Mike.

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- on April 14, 2021 at 9:09 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Mitzy.
on April 14, 2021 at 9:28 am | Reply Jet Eliot

I found this enchanting, Mike. Thanks for taking us with you into this tiny and magical world.
- on April 14, 2021 at 9:39 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Jet. Each spring I rediscover the joy of seeing the world through a macro lens and I am tickled when I manage to get shots like this one.
on April 14, 2021 at 10:21 am | Reply Louella Lester

Lovely.
on April 14, 2021 at 12:51 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Very nice Mike! Looking forward to Dragonfly photos soon!
on April 14, 2021 at 4:42 pm | Reply Ellen Jennings

Wonderful crisp capture, Mike, and an elegant composition with that full flower bloom looking on!
- on April 14, 2021 at 6:05 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ellen. With a little subject like that butterfly, getting an in-focus shot is the primary goal. The fact that I was able to get such a nice composition was a bit of good fortune. 🙂
on April 14, 2021 at 7:25 pm | Reply Dan Antion

This is very beautiful, Mike.
- on April 14, 2021 at 9:44 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. It’s a tiny butterfly with a tiny flower that together have a big impact.
  - on April 15, 2021 at 8:06 am Dan Antion
    
    They look like a matched set.
on April 14, 2021 at 10:16 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

Love this one, Mike!
- on April 14, 2021 at 10:40 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Eliza.
on April 14, 2021 at 10:28 pm | Reply mvschulze

Phenomenal! M 🙂
- on April 14, 2021 at 10:49 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much.
on April 14, 2021 at 11:52 pm | Reply Ms. Liz

Especially stunning when seen fully enlarged! and the ‘losing’ and ‘finding’ are lovely to reflect on. Really nice spring post.
on April 15, 2021 at 3:33 am | Reply picpholio

Very nice capture Mike.