As winter loosens its grip and the first trees break into bloom, one of nature’s quietest spectacles begins — the return of the pollinators. This featured image was captured at Balcones District Park in Austin, TX, where an Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) was putting on its annual pink show. While working through a series of macro shots of the redbud’s delicate flowers, a flash of green and rust stopped me mid-composition: a Juniper Hairstreak butterfly (Callophrys gryneus) had landed just inside my frame. Its warm green-and-orange tones created a striking natural contrast against the deep pink blooms — the kind of color palette you couldn’t design better if you tried. What makes this shot particularly rewarding is the sheer scale challenge it presents: with wings open, a Juniper Hairstreak spans only 0.75″ to 1.25″ (1.9 cm to 3.1 cm). With wings closed, as seen here, it’s barely the diameter of a dime (0.7″ or 1.8 cm) — a tiny jewel hiding in plain sight.
Out on a hike at Inks Lake State Park, a Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) offered a different kind of encounter. It was perched on a Stretchberry bush (Forestiera pubescens) just beginning to flower — one of those early-season bloomers that pollinators seem to find before we even notice the buds. The USDA notes that Red Admirals are unusually tolerant of human presence, and a friend and I witnessed this firsthand: these butterflies showed no interest in moving on as we moved in for closer shots. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center points out that Stretchberry’s early flowering period makes it a key nectar source for spring butterflies — a reminder that native plants and early pollinators are far more intertwined than they might appear.
The third example came during a walk with friends at Krause Springs, where a Mexican Plum tree (Prunus mexicana) in full bloom had become a busy hub for pollinators. Those striking white flower clusters are hard to miss, but what drew our cameras even more was the activity around them — Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies (Battus philenor) working the blossoms alongside a hummingbird moth competing for both nectar and our attention. Also known as the Blue Swallowtail for the iridescent blue sheen on their predominantly black wings, Pipevine Swallowtails are among the more impressive subjects you’ll find at this scale — spanning 2.75″ to 4.0″ (7 cm to 10 cm), they’re large enough to fill a frame and dramatic enough to hold it.
A technical note worth mentioning for fellow photographers: all images here are single macro frames — no focus stacking involved. Getting a subject this small acceptably sharp in a single shot comes down to lens positioning. By keeping my lens plane parallel to the butterfly’s lateral profile, the entire subject falls within the same focal plane, which is as close to a cheat code as macro photography offers. A little patience, a steady hand, and the right angle can go a long way.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Austin, Balcones District Park, Butterfly, Eastern Redbud, FlowerHour, Inks Lake SP, Juniper Hairstreak, Krause Springs, Macros, Mexican Plum tree, One Step, Parks, Pipevine swallowtail, Red Admiral, Stretchberry bush, Texas, Wildflowers, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour #23: Spring’s Phloxy Florals.
Posted for Pepper’s One Step at a Time #1.
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blhphotoblog
Great shots the Hairstreak is a real beauty.
Egidio Leitao
I’m so glad you liked that. Thanks. Your blog is beautiful. I started following it.
One Step at a Time #3 - Heaven's Sunshine
Pingback: […] joined in with some lovely flowersEgidio caught up from last week by sharing two –First some beautiful pollinators and second, landscapes including Inca’s Death […]
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the pingback.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Tutte e tre molto carine. 🦋
Egidio Leitao
Grazie mille.
Anita
A beautifully captured trio, Egídio. Each image shows a different mood of early spring. A wonderful blend of color, detail, and observation.
Egidio Leitao
What a lovely feedback! Thanks, Anita.
shoestringdiary
Excellent macro shots! Love the colors on the Juniper Hairstreak.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much.
Pepper
Hi, Egidio. I just realized that your link was added on last week’s post. Since I don’t want anyone to miss your beautiful butterfly images, I added a link on the comments for this week’s post. I hope you don’t mind.
So sorry I had not closed comments when this week’s post went live. My mistake.
Egidio Leitao
Pepper, it was a late submission. Thanks for adding the link in your post. I just did a post for One Step #2.
Mike K
Lovely set! The colors are perfect. Thanks for the macro tip.
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you liked that post. Thanks, Mike.
Mike K
You’re welcome! Keep them coming.
Wandering Dawgs
Beautiful flowers and hummingbirds.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Beth.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful butterflies Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Beyond amazing, Egidio! The colors of the flowers and the butterflies, just sublime!
Egidio Leitao
Those are special moments. Thanks, Terri.
Pepper
Egidio, these are so wonderful. Thank you for bringing beauty and warmth to the challenge. 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Pepper. Thanks for an original challenge idea. I hope to participate as often as I can.
margaret21
Quiet beauty indeed. You have to keep your eyes open to spot these special moments. And this is something you’re rather good at.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Margaret. Sometimes, I don’t realize something so small is there until I get home. I appreciate your compliment.
TextileRanger
Juniper Hairstreak is one of my favorites — so small and yet with such subtle color variation! It looks beautiful on those pink flowers.
Egídio Leitão
I really like them, too. They always fool me every time I see them. I have to look carefully to make sure where their eyes are. Thanks for your comment.