www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/postmanpe ... otostream/" title="Open-wing Small Heath."><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/486 ... de57_n.jpg" width="320" height="226" alt="Open-wing Small Heath."></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[url<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/postmanpe ... otostream/" title="Open-wing Small Heath."><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/486 ... de57_n.jpg" width="320" height="226" alt="Open-wing Small Heath."></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>][/url]

I think this is the link to the shot you mean:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/postmanpe ... 634217123/

Yes - it is rare to catch a small heath with its wings open. Was it resting like that or was that a chance flap?

Guy

Thanks for reading between the lines.

I was asked to post after speaking to Rob Smith and Ted Benton. This small Heath had its wings open long enough for me to take a single shot in focus. (No burst mode). They thought it may have been of interest. I'm just an amateur snapper fairly new to the butterflies of Essex. All the best, pete.

The Only open wing settled Small Heath i have seen was being eaten by a spider from the hidden side.

Here's another from Bob Eade: app.php/gallery/image/19010, as used in a book that's coming out in a couple of weeks That being said, the original post deciphered by Guy would seem to be a male.
Cheers,

- Pete

Must admit, I've seen the occasional Small Heath holding its wings slightly open, and also flicking its wings apart in the same way Graylings do.

Never seen them hold them open for a reasonable time period like in your original post, although I have seen this a few times with Pearly Heaths on the continent.

As Pete has put in the link to my shot that is being used in his book I thought I would re-tell the story.
I came across this individual while I was looking for Wall Brown larva and I was at the bottom of a very steep slope. As the Small Heath landed near me it left its wings open for just a second or so. It then flew a short distance and the same thing happened. As this seemed to be a pattern with this individual I decided to follow it and try to get a shot just after it landed. Cut a long story short, I failed many times to get a photo and it wasn't until the butterfly was near the very top of the slope that I managed to at last get a quick grab shot. By this time I was probably gasping for oxygen!!