When you suddenly spot one, it’s as if the summer sky has dropped a small fluttering piece of itself. It takes a second or two to register what you have seen, and by then it has gone. For Polyommatus icarus, the Common Blue butterfly is not only small – around one inch across – it is also skittish. I did not attempt a closer shot for fear of spooking it. And then I thought that I didn’t really want a close-up; they have their limitations. Better, I thought, to share the Common Blue much as a I saw it (soft focus and all) on the flowers of creeping thistle beside field path.
Lens-Artists photo challenge: soft
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Tish Farrell 
What a beautiful post Tish. Love the way you described and captured this beautiful creature. We’re blessed with many butterflies here but I’ve never seen one of these!
Glad you like this, Tina. They seem to be a European species.
They are speedy little creatures, so love this image!
Thanks, Sue. I had to hold my breath a lot, and try not fall over as was carrying stuff to the allotment at the time, so it was all a bit one-handed.
Doubly well done, then, Tish!
Thank you, Sue. I sometimes think I should try doing one thing at a time.
Well, I have had to, forced by circumstances!!
I’m v. sorry about that, Sue. It’s hard to have one’s activities curtailed, having to choose what can be done and what can’t.
It’s life, Tish! There are always ways of managing things…..plenty I miss, but I try to focus on the positive…in the words of the late Leonard Cohen ‘Ring the bells that still can ring (forget your perfect offering)’
He was such a sound chap, Leonard. And more power to your focusing on the positive.
Well, it gets you through life better!
🙂
Beautiful! I remember as a child, walking along the cliffs above Moneypenny Cove, near Fowey, clouds of these beautiful little creatures rising ahead of us. I haven’t seen one for years so thank you for this lovely photograph. 🙂
That is a lovely scene you have painted here – clifftop butterfly clouds. Thank you.
Please could I use your photo and tell my story on my blog tonight? With due credit, of course. 🙂
Sorry, I’ve been away gardening so only just seen this. Of course I’m happy for you to use the photo with a credit – if it’s not too late.
Another evening – thank you! 🙂
You need to visit Godrevy point Sally, there were lots of blues there in June – maybe the Silver-studded Blue. Also I have seen lots down at Cot Valley also in June.
We frequently go to Godrevy near the island, been there this evening. Is that the same as Godrevy Point? We’ll be off down the Cot Valley next June, maybe sooner as they seem to be around now in some places. Thanks for the tip. 🙂
I think up on the tumulus is what is called the point – opposite the island. The butterflies were feasting on the kidney vetch so maybe they have moved on now.
Thank you. We will certainly look out for them in future. 🙂
Lovely shot Tish and a lovely butterfly, I think sometimes I’m too pre-occupied in getting too close.
It’s only recently occurred to me that, paradoxically, you can miss a lot by mostly aiming for a close-up.
They may be common but they are beautiful.
I love the piece of dropped sky! It is exactly like that.
🙂
One fluttered by me this very morning! 🙂 🙂 Lovely!
I think this must be their big moment.
It is so beautiful, thank you for sharing.
Happy to share 🙂
Wow lovely post.
Thank you.
Oh – wow! I saw a couple (I think) dancing round one another on downland not long ago – whatever they were, it was a lovely sight – peaceful, summery, happy. Never seen one as close as your wonderful photograph.
They are an uplifting sight. After I’d posted this piece, I found a couple flitting around in the garden. They like the oregano flowers, but soon whizzed off.
Great photo of the blue butterfly, Tish! You are right many a good shot has been spoiled by getting too close to the object, especially a skittish one. Have a great day!
I’ve never seen one, so I really enjoyed yours. Sometimes getting the perspective is just as good or better than a closeup.
janet
My thoughts too, Janet re perspective.
Beautiful and a cure for the blues
Good thinking, Abrie. Thank you for that.
Marvelous composition. The blue offset by the pink and the green.
Look great in a frame.
You are nice 🙂
I love the idea of a piece of the blue sky dropped onto earth. Lovely butterflies and the only way I have got a closer shot is by having a zoom lens on the camera!
Thank you, Jude.
A beautiful capture Tish! 🙂🦋
Many thanks 🙂
Very beautiful Tish. The wings look translucent. 🙂
Thanks, Su. I think they must be. Or they reflect light somehow.
Gauzy (is that a word? It looks weird!). “A fluttering piece of sky” is the perfect description.
Gauzy is a good word, Meg.
Like bluebirds which are also rare and hard to photograph. in fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever actually SEEN a bluebird. Or a blue butterfly.
There’s something otherworldly about the shade of blue, so even when you see it, you rather feel you can’t be seeing it.
That is such a dainty and colourful butterfly Tish, well done capturing it to share with us. Unfortunately butterflies seem to be a disappearing sight over here, as are gardens.
Sad about your disappearing butterflies and gardens. Over-development for houses or what?
The houses being built now take up the whole section no space left for gardens. Or they build apartment blocks, again no gardens. Gardeners are a dyeing breed. Also caterpillars are looked on as pests and plants are drenched in insecticides to kill them. No caterpillars no butterflies, so sad.
Gosh, you really have surprised me, Pauline. Gardening seems to be on the up in the UK despite the close-knit domestic spaces, and reduced size of garden plots.
There are still dedicated gardeners around, but seems to be the older generations. The younger ones seem to want, want, ie bigger houses, newer cars, more electronics then of course, have to work longer to pay for them, this means no time for frivolous gardening. I’m probably generalising, there’s always exceptions to the rule. Meanwhile we will garden on as they don’t know the pleasure they are missing
Good on you and Jack and your lovely garden!
or even that a delphinium petal has dropped for the sky – heart meltingly soft Tish
Oh I like the delphinium petal.
Beautiful, Tish!
Many thanks, Pete .
Better too that you enjoyed watching it’s flutters rather than trying to focus closely!
Yes, it’s easy to be so involved with taking a close up, you’re not really enjoying the moment.
Such a lovely finding.
🙂