I walked outside this afternoon and saw two Tiger Swallowtails fluttering around the Butterfly Bush, which I took as a clear sign that I should get my camera and take a photography break.
The male, seen below, did not seem to appreciate my presence and flew off after a few moments. In this type of butterfly, the males are not as colorful as the females.
The female (notice her bright blues and oranges) was content to linger, sipping nectar from the blossoms on the bush, and I was content to follow her about snapping pictures.
Here are a few “profile” shots that give a good view of the underside of her wings. I also like that you can see all three pair of her legs, her antennae, and her proboscis – a little creepy looking, but oh so cool!
These last two shots are with the sun behind her, illuminating her wings. I find her to be absolutely stunning!
Hope you don’t mind that summer will likely abound with butterfly posts!
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Wow, Kathy they are magnificent pics of the swallowtails, and the flowers complement them. A truly beautiful post!
I have a feeling that I will have a lot of butterfly filled posts in the days ahead!
Fabulous capture and images!
absolutely beautiful! Keep ’em coming Kath!
Your wish is my command! 🙂
lol!
Lovely shots!
Thanks…pretty sure I am addicted!
WOWZA! These photos are stunning!! 🌟🌈✨. Love the side views and learning the difference between male and female – interesting that the females are the beautiful ones whereas males are often the colorful ones with birds. 😍 Love butterflies! And dragonflies! 💚 I had a big bright green dragonfly land on me at the lake today! Can’t wait to draw it! 😄
I hope I can get some dragonfly pictures too! Haven’t had too many of those in the yard yet…might need to go hike along the Chattahoochee. 🙂
Sounds like a fun adventure! 😃
Gorgeous shots, all of them ❤
I am so thrilled to have a Butterfly Bush now! 🙂
These are so beautiful! A summer of butterflies sounds ideal!
They are just so captivating that I can’t resist!
Oh my goodness how could we ever mind? So beautiful, and captured as only Kathy can. Stunning. And with World Watercolor Month coming in July……..maybe my goal should be that I could do one of these some kind of justice by the end of the month. Not that it’s likely to happen, but a girl can dream! Wonderful work, Kathy. 💜
My birds are in a bit of a summer lull til the next baby broods come, and the butterflies are so alluring that I have been heading to thr frontyard more than the backyard.
It’s all good no matter which way you head, Kathy! I say rah rah rah! 😃 I’m glad you’re having fun. 💜
woow!!! This photos are really wonderful Kathy 💕Can’t wait to paint it 😍
Oooh…and I can’t wait to see it if you paint it!
Aww Thanks 🙂 will do it soon!
Fascinating captures, Kathy, can’t wait to see more over the summer!
Your pictures are fabulous . Thanks for sharing them.
It is my delight to do so!