Most hairstreaks have thin hairlike tails projecting from the hind wings and delicate streaks below.
Each hind wing often bears a burst of bright red, orange or blue below.
Males are warm brownish-black while females are slate-coloured.
This common hairstreak clings to low leaves and shrubs bathed in sunbeams and engages all newcomers in territorial tussles.
Hairstreak information from National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Butterflies
Other flyers:
Thanks to Ken Sproule for assistance in insect identification.
The Seaton Trail section south of Whitevale is somewhat more rugged than I am used to. There are hills to climb and descend plus, on every opportunity, I climb down and explore the banks of the West Duffins Creek. Around the time when I thought I might be near the end of the middle section of the trail I saw two runners (hard-core runners love this trail). “Am I near the end” I asked. “Still 3 kilometres to go” they replied. I’ll do that on another day!
Some botany:
NATURE POETRY
The sun is an eagle old,
There in the windless west.
Atop of the spirit-cliffs
He builds him a crimson nest. – Vachel Lindsay (1879–1931)
Miles Hearn