Thursday, June 9, 2022

Blue and copper

 
 

About a week ago we were walking back from field work and noticed a few brilliant Blue Coppers (Lycaena heteronea) nectaring on buckwheat flowers (Eriogonum sp.).  

Males are bright blue above:

 
 
And much paler below:
 
 
 
Although there's a hint of blue, females are copper colored above:
 
 
 
And here's one more, up close, thanks to Eric's slow and patient approach with a point-and-shoot camera!
 
 
 Photographed near Fort Ross on 1 June 2022.

4 comments:

  1. Yay!! These are one of my favorite butterflies!

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  2. Having just failed miserably to photograph these little creatures with my new point-and-shoot, I am in awe of Eric's skills!

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  3. It helps that Eric also has really long arms = a long reach!

    :) Jackie

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