On Tuesday I spotted a really cool-looking butterfly at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops). This species has distinctive reddish-orange markings across its hind and forewings. I don’t recall seeing this species very often, though I have included photographs of the butterflies in some blog postings in the past.
The Red-banded Hairstreak is quite small in size, with a wingspan of just over an inch (25 mm), so I had to focus very carefully on the butterfly to obtain a sharp image. I was pleasantly surprised by the results with my Tamron 18-400mm zoom lens that did a pretty good job in capturing a shot of such a small subject.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Really beautiful. The colors look like a watercolor palette. That florentine green color is my favorite–I have a bunch of unfinished Ikea-like furniture I’ve been meaning to paint out in that color. After many years, I’ve gotten used to the unfinished pine look. : |
Thanks, Michael. If you wait long enough the patina of the unfinished wood may turn into that shade of florentine green. 🙂
I love leaving new species! Perfect colors!
Thanks. I think it may be missing a part of its tail area, but the zigzag pattern is still very visible.
You’re welcome! Yes!
That is indeed a really cool species, Mike. Excellent photo.
Thanks, Jet. I try to keep my eyes open and photograph almost anything that moves. I figure that I can sort them out later. 🙂
So beautiful. Thank you.