Out of the Water - _TNY_8220

The peacock beetles I've found in both the Tyresta National Park near Stockholm as well as in the Mjällådalen nature reserve 500 km north of where I live, all have been found in direct proximity of water.

 

This one took it a step further though and went for a little swim. It turns out they aren't particularily good swimmers, but since they are fast runners, paddling at turbo speed with six legs offers at least a bit of propulsion.

 

The species here is a copper peacock beetle (Elaphrus cupreus) which normally has a copper sheen to it (www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52545297405/) and sometimes a darker hue (www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53800353515/). I don't know if it is because this is more unusual, but I think this colour is the prettiest so far.

 

For part 1, it is actually out in the water here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53863337586/

 

A (closer) shot of one just as green as this one from the same trip but out of the water here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53846782368/

 

Done