Eastern Tailed-Blue

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)!

Confirmed at BAMONA as Cupido comyntas or “Eastern Tailed-Blue”; http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/855726

One year ago (“Liquid assets”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-05-02
Two years ago (“Right! … What’s a cubit?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-05-02

[Danette Thompson]

Beautiful butterfly. How fortunate you could get close.

[Rick Schies]

Wow Thom, what a beauty you spotted here, and you did a great job on the DOF as well.

[Jean Tookey]

Beautiful ! Nice dof.

[MaryBeth Dailey]

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!

[Tara]

I love these Thom. I have a couple shots last year. Their faces are so pretty, they almost look like fairies. Beautiful clarity.