The little butterflies called purple hairstreaks (Neozephyrus quercus), eikenpages in Dutch, live high up in oak trees and can be difficult to photograph if you don't like climbing.
The photo above was taken one-handed from an adjacent tree, which is fun to have done, but is not while you are doing it.
These butterflies are also notorious (among photographers, that is) because they refuse to let you photograph the top of their wings; they sit with their wings closed, even when sunbathing.
How could I be sure "purple hairstreak" wasn't a misnomer?
I had enough of the uncertainty and these butterflies' lack of cooperation, so I summoned one down:
We had a good talk:
It then opened its wings:
I had to turn it around a bit to get the right angle:
But here it is: proof that they do have colour on the top of their wings, as the books say:
Having let me photograph it, it retreated into the nearest oak tree.
Another nice and informative post from your local butterfly whisperer!
Thanks for watching!