black swallowtail by Richardphotos

Photography • Macro • posted on Jul 02, 2007

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

Butterflies go wherever they please and please wherever they go. They are messengers of nature, not only adding brilliance to their surroundings but also pollinating flowers and revealing the healthiness of our communities. Historically, butterflies have been revered in art and lore but otherwise have been ignored. Today, however, we are beginning to realize the many benefits of these smaller wildlife forms. The Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes asterius Stoll Color: P. polyxenes has a black body with yellow spots along each side. The wings are black, dorsal side, with two bands of yellow markings running down laterally. On the lower wings, the female has a distinctive blue band of coloration between the two yellow bands, with a red spot near the tails, whereas the male has less blue with more distinctive red spots. On the ventral side, there are brilliant orange-red and blue markings located laterally, on the lower wings, and two rows of yellow markings located laterally on the upper wings (Klots, 172, 1979). Size: The Black Swallowtail is 2.75-3.5 inches in width (Klots, 172, 1979), and 3-3.5 inches in height. http://www.holoweb.com/cannon/black4.htm I have seen these huge butterflies several times but never got a good capture. I was walking in between rain showers and noticed this lady come for a touchdown landing. they look like stealth bombers. I was leaning over a stone ledge capturing her when the rain started again. I threw the camera in the bag just in time as it started pouring before I could get to my FJ one lake that was way below just 2 months ago is now 18'0" above normal

Comments (97)

)

1010

1:53PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Oh, so that is what they are called, a lovely fly Richard.........

)

MarciaGomes

2:06PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

FANTTICA FOTO,LINDOS DETALHES.++++++++5

)

awadissk

2:13PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Very well done work!!!!!!!!!!!

)

angelbearzs

2:32PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

that so beatiful!!!:)

)

Xantipa

2:46PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Wow..awesome..

)

TwoPynts

3:14PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Lovely swallowtail capture and good info too. Stay dry my good man!

)

Syltermermaid

3:19PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Wonderful captured Richard and thank you for the explanations!!!Marvelous!! Thanks for sharing!!! Hugs Ute

)

Ionel

3:21PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Excellent capture! Bravo!!!

)

evielouise

3:36PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

yahoooooooooooooooo---Richard what a capture you got here wonderful and awesome shot !!

)

Blush

4:35PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Beautiful I have a black swallowtail too Not pretty as this one tho... At first no butterflys here forever now am bombared with them grin Love this sweetie Hugs Susan~

)

bpclarke

6:15PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Lovely capture. Awesome details and color on this. Bunny

)

goodoleboy

6:21PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Great POV and detail in this capture, Richard! Except for the black color, it's an exact duplicate of some of the butterflies I shot last May. Yours looks in fantastic shape.

)

2Loose2Trek

6:26PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Beautiful macro ... awesome work!

)

Steff_7

6:40PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Excellent capture, you can almost count the wing scales. Great work..

)

Brandi

6:50PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

So beautiful! I was stalking a swallowtail all over my yard today but never could get a good shot of it. :P

)

rawdodb

6:55PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Beautiful Shot! Stunning colors!

)

NefariousDrO

7:24PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Superb job, you captured so much of the wonderful colors and details!

)

rainbows

7:31PM | Mon, 02 July 2007

Oh! Dear Richard, your lady is a stunner. I have been chasing red admirals all day... No shot :-( It was fun though, the sun was out for about 1 hour!!! The red admirals danced in the sun. I wonder where butterflies go when it rains.. I have never ever seen a swallowtail in real. You are so luchy to snap this pretty one. I cannot imagine a butterfly this size!!!!! BIG :-) Thanks for info too. It is a glorious shot.. We have rain, rain then more rain here too. Gentle hugs for happy night. I love this capture a lot :-) Diane.

)