Though they are strikingly marked, the combination of small size, color combo, and fast flight can make them very hard to track. They will retreat to the Cedar trees for cover or perches to defend territory, and can zoom through the flower patches with short flights that take them right out of sight. When hairstreaks angle their closed wings sometimes they are almost invisible from above - especially green hairstreaks amid partially shaded leaves. Can you spot the Hessel’s Hairstreak in the image? Upon close inspection it is obvious, but standing even a few feet away makes picking out this species a real challenge!!
