Loading...

The Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon) is a small, early spring butterfly of pine forests in the eastern and northern United States. Within Texas, the species is quite unusual, but does occur in the far eastern parts of the state. In mid March, 2011, Eric Isley and I located a single Eastern Pine Elfin in Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co., Texas. The first four images on this page were taken on that occasion with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash. It has apparently been several years since this species has been documented in central Texas, so this was quite an unusual find.
In early April, 2011, Eric Isley and I located two more Eastern PIne Elfins in an area of Bastrop Co., between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. The next three images show two of those elfins. These individuals are quite worn compared to the shots taken in March.
The Eastern PIne Elfin on the right was in the Ouachita National Forest, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma, in May, 2011. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.