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Red-banded Hairstreak
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Red-banded Hairstreak

by Mark Seaver

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted September 9, 2012227 views6 comments
I found this Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) nectaring in my spearmint patch (it's about 20 feet from the peppermint patch). I'd seen these in the peppermint a week or two earlier, but not recently. They also are hard to find as they move slowly and stay hidden among the leaves. I spent nearly an hour photographing this one and it moved less that a foot (30 cm). (5D3, 100mm macro L + 12mm ET, 1/80s, f/8, iso 400, tripod) Cropped top and right to remove extra space (77% of full frame).

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on September 9, 2012 at 3:00 PM
I love Hairstreaks! This is really nice how you have it on such a pretty stalk...I also like the bright cheerful lighting which you handled very well.
Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on September 9, 2012 at 3:39 PM
The hard work paid off. Superb. Background perfect. :toast:
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on September 9, 2012 at 9:52 PM
Beautiful image, Mark. Lovely colors throughout; excellent view of the Hairstreak with superb detail. No nits. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on September 10, 2012 at 10:18 PM
Nice detail in the Hairstreak. Beautiful bg. Very nicely done!
Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Jones on September 12, 2012 at 9:38 PM
Oh Man, this is SWEET! For some reason, I never get a good shot of hairstreaks, even though I think they are some of the most beautiful butterflies. Details, perch, background, light and exposure, and composition are all first-rate. Congrats.
Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 16, 2012 at 10:19 AM
The LP looks very good Mark. Very nice colors/details, exposure & a great BG.
I like the angle of the flower perch/stem in this attractive comp as well :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments