Gray Hairstreak

It was a busy day in the garden! Some Painted Ladies and lots of Common Buckeyes and a few of these Gray Hairstreaks (“Strymon melinus”). Since I have posted a lot of Painted Ladies and this is the less-frequently seen view of the Gray Hairstreak, this is what I chose to post. Magnify for more detail: I wanted to get the “tails.” This is another butterfly whose wing color “above” is significantly different from that “below.” See http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-07-24

Confirmed at BAMONA as Strymon melinus or “Gray Hairstreak”; http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/939264

A year ago (“Playoff series format”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-11-03

[MaryBeth Dailey]

" Who you callin' common?!" Haha! Those butterflies are gorgeous! And this opened winged hairstreak.....wow! People may not know how impossible it is to catch them like this.....I do though! This is so clear and gorgeous ! I have never seen inside their wings! So thanks for that! Fav!

[Rick Schies]

Wow, now that is a treat, what a great color

[Chris]

Perfect pose of the butterfly!

[elaine]

I love the contrast with the flower!

[Vicki Dixon]

nice one! have not seen that kind before

[Marie]

What a beautiful butterfly!

[Tara]

Fantastic! I love these guys, they are so fascinating. I had the pleasure back in August to find one and get a ton of shots - they are very still. I love the moving tail. At first I didn't know which end was which :). Well done!

[Danette Thompson]

Great shot!

[Cecilia]

Wow this is cool, nice shot!

[Michelle]

Gorgeous... amazing contrasts