This little gem of a butterfly is hard to see and mostly over looked because of its size. When I first started butterfly watching and photography I wanted this butterfly pretty bad, so I drove 2 + hours to Raven Rock State Park to join a field trip in March to find it. Some were sighted but not close enough for good photographs.
The next year I learned that right here in the yard we had a huge population of them (ok maybe 10, but 4-5 is usually the best you will do anywhere in NC). So in the past 8-9 years I have worked the woods and hedges to get a good photo. We have loads of wild Eastern Red Bud trees that they seem to favor the blooms on.
Here is the Henry's Elfin, Callophrys henrici on a sprouting blackberry twig they are about 1/2 tall. You can find more info with three more photos and a full scale web page on everything you need to know about them here on my web page on Henry's Elfins.
BTW This photo was taken in the wind with my Canon DSLR 20D and 180mm macro lens with a flash to enhance the ambient light.
