TheTiger Swallowtail ! by kimariehere
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Description
Hello all!
A swallowtail butterfly here. I learned something today . See that round curling thing he feeds from ? when it is not feeding it curls up into a spiral ( most of you prob know that but I didn't lol . Here this little critter is in the process of uncurling it to feed as he has just landed on the flowers. HeheI am always facinated by watching animals and insects so much I love learning ... I tell my girls learning doesnt end when you get out of school its a lifelong process !!
well its the first time I ever captured a swallowtail! ...so two butterflys and a dragonfly I finally have after a year of not finding any till this month. yippee !These swallowtails are much more rare in California and usually are seen more on the Eastern coast of the states!
Just a little information here about the swallowtail that I am assuming that most of you know about, but here it is for any who havn't studied about them !
The Tiger swallowtail
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These butterflies are called swallowtails because they have long "tails" on their hindwings which look a bit like the long, pointed tails of swallows (a type of bird).
Butterflies and moths undergo complete metamorphosis in which they go through four different life stages. It takes about a month for the egg to mature into an adult.
From catipiller, A beautiful, flying adult emerges. There is no growth during this stage, but the butterfly will sip nectar. This adult will continue the cycle by reproducing. Females produce two broods in the north, three in the south.
Wings have distinctive yellow and black stripes. Some females (especially in the south) are much darker, mimicking the poisonous Pipevine butterfly.
Butterflies can only sip liquid food using a tube-like proboscis, which is a long, flexible "tongue." This proboscis uncoils to sip food, and coils up again into a spiral when not in use.
Tiger Swallowtails drink sweet flower nectar, especially nectar from the pink flowers of the shrub abelia.
The Tiger Swallowtail butterfly is not a poisonous butterfly, but many females (especially southern subspecies) are much darker, mimicking the poisonous Pipevine butterfly (Battus philenor). Animals that eat it the poisonous Pipevine butterfly get very sick and vomit (but generally do not die). These animals remember that this brightly-colored butterfly made them very sick and will avoid all butterflies with similar markings (including the Tiger Swallowtail) in the future.
The Tiger Swallowtail butterfly frequents woodlands (including temperate deciduous forests) and grasslands, but is also found in a variety of environments, including cities. The Swallowtails found in the USA are brighter yellow then the ones in Europe. These Adult butterflies have a life span of one month and may be encountered from mid-April to mid-July.
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Thank you for all your time and comments on my collage of my many pictures for my 300th upload the other day !! Really appreciated as that one tokk forever to do LOL! ...
Love to you all!
((( Big hugs )))
~ ♥ Kimmers ! :O)
Comments (53)
brycek
Beautiful photo Kim and thanks for the wonderful information..excellent!! V
kenwas
Fine capture KM.
odie
A beautiful specimen! We have these too!! :0)
GiMi53
A fantastic macro,so well presented, Kimmie ! And thanks for the interesting info.. I'd like to continue learning too ! :~)
erlandpil
Nice capture and nice job
Punaguy
Killer shot here Kimmers, what a beauty! We don't see many of these type buttys in my neck of the woods, thanks for the lovely image and the info! Aloha!
webdancer
Here's something else you might not know...the tiger swallowtail is the state butterfly for Virginia! They are gorgeous! Great shot! If you really want to discover something wonderful, try to get a shot of hawk moth! I swear, you'd think it was a hummingbird. It's wings move so fast. I see them a dusk, hovering over the moonflower, which only blooms at night, at it's tongue is quite long because the blossoms are deep!
Richardphotos
you was fortunater to get so close. I have only seen them twice around here, and only got good pics once. impressive macro
rayburg
Wow girl...you're really getting in there for the insect close-ups. I bet you made yourself look like a flower and waited til he landed on you...lol...The out of frame really works well..gives it a 3D effect..now you only have 299 to go til your 600th .. =) big hug ( I like hugging you =) )
Zacko
Such a gorgeous butty you have there Kimmie. Oooh...dont take that in a sexist way please, lol. Guess i really would have begged for a spanking if i had said "big and beautiful", lol. Im soooo rambling right now...i shall just get back to the photo. Absolutely stunning!!! And so impressive as well considering the camera youre packing. Ive been outside all day hunting butties with my 70-300 macro, and even with that one i couldnt get close enough before they took off. Didnt really help that Eija started chasing them as soon as she spotted them...sigh...clumpsy dog. Ooops...here i go again...raaaaambling. I better get going. Have a wonderful evening Kimmie and a lovely week!!! See ya in a week. #:O)
hotracer2
This is a most excellent macro, detail and crispness perfect:):):):)
emailandthings
very nice
lafayette
superb macro, beautiful and fine colors! have a wonderful week Kimie!
giareg
Hello excellent colours and details, powerfully arranged classical composition! Perfect description. With thanks and best regards, G.Paolo
jocko500
wow that is wonderful to know and a very good shot too
marybelgium
excellent macro shot ! bravo !
nongo
I've captured one of these here in Washington state, but I'm not sure if it's very common here? Excellent catch Kimmers!!!!!!!
danob
Lovely image Kimmers bravo
claudialee
Beautiful, love the way the butterfly comes out of the frame. Great shot. HUGS!!!
kenmo
EXCELLENT macro Kimmie.... V
iaacf
Wow,,incredible macro.. very beautiful..!!
glennn23
Beautiful - classic Kimmers with the wing popping out... +++ wink
Syltermermaid
What a fantastic captured Butterfly Kimmie!!!! They are not easy to get, this is really an excellent macro!!!! Marvelous captured!!!!
jinet
You catched this butterfly in a posture thats makes your photo very original among all the buterfly portraits. Also very nice presentation.
miladyblu
CIAO!!!WOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!OH MY GOD!!!This shot it surpasses the beauty and the perfection!! you realized a macro really breathtaking under all points of view!!!You as always are a really exceptional artist!! You are the best my dearest friend Kimmie!!I admire you really a lot!!I love all of this amazing shot!!Also the presentation is fantastic and elegant!! Excellent work!!Really well done!!V!!Thank you for sharing!!I wish you a serene night and a wonderful new week!!A big kiss and a big hug!!
anitalee
Beautiful
romanceworks
A totally gorgeous photo of a swallowtail! It's really one of the best I've seen. We are getting some of this type of butty in Colorado - they love landing on the pansies on our deck and I love watching them. Now I get to see one super close thanks to your wonderful photo. And the info is so cool, too. V. :o) CC
elg
real beauty!
TomDart
Wow...only rarely is there a butty shot with the proboscis..that curly thing for sucking nectar. Very neat and very fine shot. Thanks, lady.
npauling
This is a gorgeous shot taken at a great angle. The close ups certainly give you an insight into the creatures and their beauty. Great info too. We don't have these down here but have a similar one with red markings instead of yellow.