Small Copper butterfly – my Sunday Photo

Small Copper butterfly face

This is a small copper butterfly. It is tiny compared to my index finger. I found it in one of the greenhouses yesterday. I pushed it slightly with my finger to check it was still alive and it strode on to my finger without a second thought. Admittedly, my finger was covered in earth and tomato plant scent, so maybe it was confused.

small copper butterfly on greenhouse glass
Small Copper butterfly clinging to the glass of my greenhouse

I think this may be my favourite butterfly. I might have overlooked it, a few years back, being small and not flamboyant, but I was wrong. Look at those eyes.

Close up of small copper butterfly

Straight out of a cartoon, as one of the Teens pointed out. It hardly looks real.

Small Copper butterfly in greenhouse on finger

This butterfly was very happy on my finger. I took a few photos, one handed. Not easy as I had no free hand to change the focus. So I moved my finger and camera closer and further away, until it was in focus. Throughout, the butterfly sat on my finger. Patiently. Slowly turning itself around to show me its best side, as if it was a pro model.

Eventually it left. I thought I’d have to push it off. This butterfly was not camera shy and was soaking it all up.

small copper butterfly on finger

Every now again, I fall in love with butterflies again. This was one of those beautiful nature encounters, that will stay with me for a while.

We joined in the Big Butterfly Count today, run by the Butterfly Conservation. Even a couple of our Teens joined in. We saw a small copper butterfly or three, along with skippers, small whites and meadow browns. We’re planning on doing several counts, as I’m really curious about whether it will vary much. Also, it was fun and only took 15 minutes, in our own back garden. You really can’t beat time outside.

There’s still time to join in, if you’re in the UK. It runs until 8th August. You can find the link here.

10 comments

    1. They are small and flighty, so difficult to separate from other small brown butterflies, but once you get your eye in they are easier to spot. Worth the effort.

Comments are closed.