Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
An Eastern Tailed-blue butterfly rests on a cosmos leaf.

I was able to sit within a foot of this tiny Eastern Tailed-Blue for nearly an hour while it paused on a wispy Cosmos leaf in my backyard garden. I could only capture images from odd angles because I there was nowhere for me to maneuver without touching a branch. The butterfly finally turned where I was able to get this shot. Then it fluttered away.

Photo Detail
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Cumberland, Maryland, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Copyright: © Marta Fiscus