What could this be resting on the surface of this Coneflower?
Is it an exotic fish that you would find at the aquarium? Or an extra from Finding Nemo?
Is it some sort of painted tribal mask?
Here is a cropped close up.
Actually, this is the tail-end of a Gray Hairstreak…a butterfly I may have seen before, but have never truly noticed.
Its hind section is designed to look like a head with thin tails that resemble antennae and orange spots that serve as counterfeit eyes. And seriously, doesn’t it look like it has eyelashes in the photo above?
Thankfully for this cool creature, looks can be deceiving. Predators often attack its bottom end, robbing it of a bit of its beauty but leaving its brains safe and sound!
He only stuck around for a second or two, but I was thrilled with the brief encounter.
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Great post.
Thanks!
what a great close up! Kathy – what lens do you use to capture these amazing shots?!
These were with a Canon 70-300mm. 🙂
Thanks Kathy – I have that lens – wow – you are amazing with it!
Terrific detail and informative post!
Thanks!
Great captures Kathy! Quite interesting butterfly! 🙂
There is so much detail you can see with a photo that I wouldn’t notice otherwise!
Great captures Kathy! Aweome!
Thanks friend!
Seriously, how do you do it? What a gorgeous creature. ❤
It was such an interesting butterfly!
Terrific predator avoidance strategy, and so brilliantly captured, Kathy!
I’ll bet you have encountered a lot of similar sights. 🙂
Scary! And weird…nature is wonderful, isn’t it!
Indeed!
Amazing capture, what an awesome little creature. Continually amazed by God’s creation.
You and me both!
That is quite an unusual view–beautifully in focus!
Wow! What amazing butterflies God has created!! ❤️🌈 It does look like it has eyelashes! I have never seen this butterfly before – thanks so much for sharing it, Kathy! 😍