This small and common butterfly with a remarkable blue shimmer, the Common Blue owes its color not to pigments but to nanometer-sized structures that bend and scatter light. Its antennae can detect chemical cues from flowers and other butterflies, while sensory hairs on its feet help it find the right host plant on which to lay eggs. The wings are covered in delicate scales that rub off easily, a useful for escaping predators or spiderwebs. These scales also aid in flight, improving aerodynamics and allowing almost silent movement. Their coloration serves multiple purposes, from camouflage to attracting mates. Shot from 124 perspectives, 16 focus stacked images each. Nikon D810 on cropped sensor, f/18, ISO 320, Tamron 90mm macro lens and 20mm extension, with Speedlights www.patreon.com/DanyBittel