Gray Hairstreak by rhoing

Gray Hairstreak

Just when I thought there might not be any new butterflies or moths in the garden till the weather changed significantly, I spotted this little guy flying around the garden. Initially I thought it would be a Blue Azure, which I spotted-and-posted several weeks ago, http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-06-07
When it lit on the bloom-less chrysanthemum, I noticed flicking “tails” on its hindwings, which is certainly not a characteristic of the Blue Azure. It wasn’t difficult to identify it as a Gray Hairstreak from one of my field guide pamphlets. (I looked for the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide… at the Harvard Bookstore, Carolyn, but no luck. Probably an amazon purchase!)

For as light as these wings are “below,” see http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-09-08 for how dark they are “above”! Or click the “strymon melinus” tag at right and see my images side-by-side!

Confirmed at BAMONA as Strymon melinus or “Gray Hairstreak”; http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/728419

P.S. This Gray Hairstreak trumped what I felt sure this morning would be my post for the day. I had an office visit with Roland, my rowing friend and favorite orthopaedic surgeon, for a big-toe issue. X-rays confirmed that I [literally] have a loose screw. A screw implanted in 1998 has backed itself out enough that it will have to come out in the near future. I had my new point-and-shoot camera with me and I took a shot of the x-rays on the computer monitor.

A year ago (“Zebra swallowtail”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-07-24
What a pretty little thing! It contrasts so nicely with those soft leaves.
July 25th, 2012  
Love the softness of this image.
July 25th, 2012  
I think many of us have a screw loose.. but of a different type.. I hope you sort it out soon. This is stunning
July 25th, 2012  
She is gorgeous Thom.
July 26th, 2012  
Love the colors!
July 26th, 2012  
Beautiful butterfly, Thom - love her soft muted colors. Sorry about you big toe - will you need to have it taken care of soon? Why aren't we seeing the x-rays of it?
July 26th, 2012  
@sparkleplenty1 When the skin gets more irritated or the pain increases, then I'll have to have that "minor procedure"; here are the x-ray images, http://rhoing.posterous.com/minor-procedure-on-the-horizon#image
July 26th, 2012  
What an awesome little guy! Love his coloring.
July 27th, 2012  
Beautifully captured, Thom!
July 31st, 2012  
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