I was happy on Monday to photograph my first butterfly of the year, which appears to be the appropriately named Spring Azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon). Earlier this season I have spotted several Mourning Cloak butterflies, but was not able to get a shot of any of them.
The Spring Azure butterfly is only about an inch (25 mm) in size, but has some wonderful details that I was able to capture. It is fairly nondescript in color until it opens its wings and reveals a beautiful shade of blue—you get a small glimpse of that wonderful blue in the second image.
I had to pursue this butterfly for quite a while before it finally landed. An outside observer might have have wondered what it the world I was doing, but chasing butterflies always makes me feel like a child again.
It won’t be long before I see much bigger and more colorful butterflies, but this one is special to me as the first butterfly of the spring that I was able to photograph.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Love that hint of colour in the 2nd photo Mike.. gorgeous!
Thanks, Liz. Each of these three photos has something special that I like about it. This butterfly never opened its wings completely, so I was a little disappointed that I could not get a better shot of the blue coloration.
I also spotted one this week 🙂
I was so excited to see the word “butterfly” in your post. What a lovely omen of spring. Thanks Mike.
I too am excited about spring, Suzette. We are still in a transitional period, going back and forth from highs in the 70s to cold rainy days in the 50s. Things are definitely warming up though and each day I see signs of new growth, with blossoms on the trees and green shoots pushing forth out of the ground.
So beautifully described Mike. We have the same things in transition here as well. Thank you for your inspiring and uplifting share. Happy Photography!
There’s nothing like a dazzling spring butterfly after a winter of harsh weather, and these photos are the perfect expression of your joy, Mike. The markings are so ornate and even the antennae are psychedelic, what a great start to the new season. Thanks very much.
Beautiful capture and share of the Azure. Something resembling a Cabbage white flitted through the yard the other day. Somehow momentary fluttering butterflies are quite the perfect way to start spring. Thanks
Your lovely photos of the tiny butterfly (that by many would go unnoticed) reminded me of a poem in my old copy of the 1923 “New Hampshire” by Robert Frost. That poem by Frost is titled “Blue-Butterfly Day”. The first stanza begins with the line “It is blue-butterfly day here in spring” and the second stanza with “But these are flowers that fly and all but sing.” True, Frost was writing about a totally blue butterfly but this Spring Azure butterfly’s blue is worthy of the poem too! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Beautiful. I may just have to write a poem about it.
I love how he matches that stick, until he opens those wings! Nice find, Mike!
So pretty and joyful. Glory to God!
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Wow, that glimpse of blue in the one photo makes the butterfly really stand out! Great shots!
Thanks. It is such a nice surprise to see that blue color. Beauty is often hidden. 🙂
Great images Mike! Enjoyed seeing them!
One could do many more frivolous and silly things in this brief life than chase butterflies. It’s fun to be one who does, too.
As I may have mentioned before, I have reached a point where I am not afraid to make a fool of myself in front of others–at least that might be their view of what I do. It turns out that the the value of the views of others is greatly exaggerated by many people. 🙂
Sweet find!
Thanks, Molly, it definitely was nice to see a butterfly.
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