The Western Spring Azure is one of the first butterflies to emerge from a pupa in the spring. It is tiny—wings barely larger than one’s thumbnail—and easily missed when it is still. When on the ground, it raises its wings to display its camouflaged underside. When it flies—ah, then the beautiful azure topside is shown.
Each spring for a half-dozen years, I have watched this delight and tried to take a picture of it flying so as to capture the azure topside. Time after time, I have had to trash blurry shots. Finally, yesterday, I came close to the objective.
A Western Spring Azure looks inconspicuous when on the ground with its wings raised.
This flying spring azure shows the bluish topside of its left wings, but the monochrome underside of its right.
If this weren’t satisfying enough, it landed and was caught in the instant before the wings were again raised.
Amazing shots, of course. Our group saw quite a few today, but never saw one land! It seems impossible to photograph one flying.
Margo, you are right: it is easy to see them; it is difficult to photograph them in flight.
Great accomplishment, Alistair !!
Bill, persistance is the key.
I’ve seen several of the same butterflies you’ve captured in the last couple weeks on walks here in Calgary. You must have been awfully quick to catch that azure.
Doug, I don’t think that anyone is fast enough to see it move and press the button. One must anticipate and press and point the camera opportunely. This is why I have had so many failures.