This is the way it is when you pursue wild beings. They are super attentive to any approach, and sustain that level of high alert. Experience has taught me to wait. Sometimes, sometimes that suspicion slips, especially when attractive nourishment is there.
This Turkish Meadow Brown butterfly (Maniola telmessia) flew to this tiny, but abundant wildflower. She began to sip nectar, with her wings closed. Turkish meadow brown butterflies rarely open their wings for you. Friends who follow wingedbeauty.com know that I rank this one high on my list of Favorites. They are beautiful. Dozens of images of them, yet still going for a shot with wings open, with that dorsal surface and its Daddah! spot awash in yellow, orange & black.
So I waited. She nectared. Then, OMG! She opened her wings. You know, I am currently reading a biography of Roger Tory Peterson. I respectfully share that Peterson, Pyle, Fisher, Destrade, Nabokov, Linch, Kaufman, Malone and I all enjoy such moments. Moments when especially beautiful creatures shine. They just shine. Sparkle!
She lowered her guard, revealing that shmeksy! left upper wing. The morning sunlight, on the slope of Mt. Meron (Israel), kissed her wing, and here it is, my best shot!
Jeff
Winged Beauty Butterflies 
That is indeed a beautiful photo. Everything comes together: the butterfly blending in with the dark background, the beautiful lines of the branches and then the light on her false eye.
LikeLike
Absolutely beautiful post! The photograph is of dreams –Winged Dreams! I could feel the, “Daddha!” moment when she opened her wings. I know that feeling, I thought. Those moments are worth the wait, I’m sure, and I’m glad you saw her so exquisitely vulnerable.
LikeLike