elusive butterfly
As soon as I saw this butterfly through my window I rushed outside into the garden with the camera. It was not quite like the usual swallowtails. The body was larger and there is that bluish cast to the wings.
I never did get a good shot though. It never stopped beating its wings even when feeding. It kept coming back to these bright red anisacanthus flowers interspersed with long graceful flights. When I got back inside I tried to find it in my field guides. Could it be the Spicebush Swallowtail?
Posted by Bill Hopkins on October 5, 2004 08:25 PMBeautiful.........it's a swallowtail for sure......I have a neat pic of a black swallowtail but it doesn't have the blue on the wing or the white spots on the body.........I will send it via e-mail to compare............
Posted by: Dottie at October 5, 2004 09:34 PMI have noticed that my patio is visited by the loveliest of butterflies...and lizards! The colors of both are so electrifying. I have seen purple lizards with a vibrant streak of silver running along their backs as if they were struck by lightening and orange butterflies with a virtual kalidescope of hues and tints.
Your butterfly reminds me of my lazy afternoons on the porch! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: orchidophile at October 6, 2004 08:51 AMThat might not be the shot you wanted, but it's a fantastic photo!
Judging from the position of the legs, it's hovering like a hummingbird to feed...
An amazing shot.
Posted by: jenn at October 6, 2004 11:44 AMHow pretty, Bill. There certainly is no shortage of beautiful things in your garden.
I'm trying to picture the lizards orchidophile has described.
Posted by: Leslie at October 7, 2004 10:02 AMLeslie,
They are smaller than the garden variety green lizards. I have seen three of them. The sun really highlights the purple because they are extremely dark.By the time I grab the camera, they've run away.
-o
Posted by: orchidophile at October 7, 2004 06:32 PMThe movemet is fantastic - a beautiful photo!
Posted by: Lewesrat at October 9, 2004 06:07 PM