Two-tailed Swallowtail butterfly on a blooming serviceberry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Late last week I stopped my Jeep in the Wasatch Mountains because I spotted a Two-tailed Swallowtail butterfly resting on a blooming serviceberry shrub. I look for and pay attention to butterflies and other insects while I am out searching for birds.
Why wouldn’t I?
Insects are often bird food and where I find bird food I usually find birds. Insects are also beautiful things that sometimes have wings.
Two-tailed Swallowtail butterfly on serviceberry blooms close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The two long “tails” of this Two-tailed Swallowtail are missing because they have been broken off. I suspect that this is a male because the females typically show more blue on the upper part of the wings than this swallowtail shows. Plus females of this species have broader black stripes than males.
It was still cool when I photographed this butterfly and it may have rested overnight at this location. Other vehicles had driven past this serviceberry prior to my arrival at this blooming shrub. I wonder if any of the people in those vehicles even saw this brightly colored butterfly.
I couldn’t resist stopping for it.
Two-tailed Swallowtail butterfly resting on serviceberry blossoms – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And I am glad that I did. This swallowtail was a beautiful subject to have in my viewfinder. But that isn’t the only reason I am glad I stopped to photograph this butterfly.
As I photographed this swallowtail I heard the sound of tiny wings. When I looked around my viewfinder I spotted a male Black-chinned Hummingbird close by. If I hadn’t stopped for this swallowtail I wouldn’t have found the hummingbird to photograph. I only needed to move my Jeep forward a few feet to have the male hummingbird in my viewfinder too. I hope to share photos of the male Black-chinned Hummingbird here soon.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my insect and spider images. Click here to see more of my wildflower photos along with shrubs and trees.
I love swallowtails. When we lived in No. Calif we used to see tons of them. At times there were so many they seemed to fill our yard. It’s a great memory. Beautiful pics. Thanks Mia.
Thank you for brightening my day.
Judy
Thank you so much for your incredible photos, your kind words about each creature you photograph, and your wisdom about these beings. I learn through reading what you type — every word — and appreciate both you and nature more because of your posts. Thank you, Mia.
Another very beautiful critter. And again I am impressed at your eyes and your ears…
Beautiful shots.
So far this year we have had only the Black Swallowtail when usually we have the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. We are seeing fewer butterflies in our area, and we don’t spray anything!