First [live] butterfly of the year, Cupido comyntas (also known as Everes comyntas)!
I was quite surprised to see it, given how chilly it still is and how few flowers have bloomed yet this year. I was lucky to get close enough with my 18–55mm lens to get this sharp an image without taking the time to switch out to the 55–250mm lens.
Initially I was certain that it was a Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) — http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-07-24 — but the Hairstreak has more, and more conspicuous, “tails” than this species. Gah! — I should have been suspicious! Either way, though, ya gotta love the striped “knee socks” (that match the antennae, too)!
Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...
First Flutterby! Congrats! And a gorgeous pic of it too! My first one was about a month and a half ago ...yellow sulphur....but not a good pic. I saw two gorgeous yellow swallowtails on pink azalea a month ago maybe. That pic was pretty good so I posted it. Fav on this lovely hairstreak!