| Actual Image
Expect the Unexpected (28)
Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3833 W: 190 N: 11412]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (35173) | The nature photographer can always expect the unexpected.
In this nature reserve about 20 km from my home I was expecting to be able to photograph warblers and other small birds before they move south.
I saw a black-cap. As I was about to take a shot it flew into a neaby oak. While I was searching for it this butterfly whizzed round the oak infront of me.
It settled about 3 meters up. My susspicions of its identity were confirmed when it began to open its wings to sun itself. A female Brown Hairstreak!
This species (Thecla betula) is sparsely distributed in S. Sweden and most of Europe and is nowhere common.
This is the first time it has been seen in this reserve.
I have always wanted a good shot of the this butterffy with wings open, especially the female that has the large orange patches. I still haven't completely succeeded with this aim but at least you can see what the upper surfaces of the wings look like.
Her abdomen is still swollen with eggs. As she lays them on sloan she is using this oak not only to get some warmth but to possibly suck up honeydew left on the leaves by aphids.
I took this shot with my camera hand-held at a distance of about 4 meters.
I only had a minute to take shots since she flew off, possibly to oviposit.
You can see what the underside of the wings look like in the WS |
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