it's butterfly o'clock

in #photofeed6 years ago



just living is not enough, said the butterfly,
one must have sunshine,
freedom
and a little flower.
Hans Christian Andersen


Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly

Facts

  • native to eastern North America eastern coast from Ontario to Florida (sometimes found in Turkey)

  • it is the state butterfly of 6 states - Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas

  • it's new to me - I have never seen one until last weekend

  • the male is yellow with black stripes and the female is black with yellow stripes with a blue band on the hind wing

  • their wing span is 7.9 to 14 cm (3.1 to 5.5 in)

  • in caterpillar stage they have an amazing defence against predators - hawks, crows and other black birds, owls, squirrels, oposums, raccoons, hornets to name a few.

  • the caterpillar mimics the shape and color of bird droppings - they also have a gland that secrets a foul smelling substance to repel their enemies

  • some adult females can imitate the sound/cry of the poisonous blue swallowtail

  • their life span is only one month

Butterflies of Canada
Bright Hub
Animal Spot


all photos by

Nikon D3100
Nikkor Lens 55mm-200mm
Adobe Lightroom

©All rights reserved, 2018



Note

I am going to be taking some time away from Steemit for the summer. My plan is to travel - I have two places in mind. Also I have several small road trips planned to small towns in Ontario.

Enjoy your summer everyone and be well.




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Nice shots, Deb! I haven't seen one of those yet, this year! Kind of jealous. We had one in the garden last year, that I stalked with a big lens.

The way the fly is fascinating to watch, too. Butterflies in general seem to be completely incapable of flying in any kind of straight line and, yet, they still seem to manage to land right on target. Is that a sweet rocket that your swallowtail is landed on?

Enjoy your summer! We'll miss your posts...

Hope you are just busy doing fun things! I miss you!

nature and you are wonderful when you come together!
congratulations on perfect photography!

Be well. Know that you will be missed.

Gorgeous images of flowers and butterfly @countrygirl I love the wonderful contrast of brown and cream colours on the swallowtails sings. So beautiful. How exciting to have some travel arrangements planned. I’m doing a few road trips myself while our weather is cooler as I find outdoor activities a lot more pleasant than in our hot summer months. I know I shall miss you but I am very happy for you and will look forward to your return. Stay well. Be safe and enjoy your break. Blessings my friend. 🌺

Beautiful butterfly! I love the hint of blue mixed into the other colors. Great shots too.

Excellent! I have no luck with butterflies, they're too quick for me... yours are great and I'm sharing :) I was not familiar with this type of butterfly.

You lucky girl. Nature really cooperated with you. Those are some great shots, Deb:)

Deb,

I wish for you travels full of magic and wonder...

And for me, lovely photos you've taken, when you return...

Blessings!

😄😇😄

@creatr

and this is for you my friend......I know how you enjoy music and words

Thank you, Deb...

That is a remarkable song. It puts me in mind so strongly of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and how they faced down Nebuchadnezzer with truth...

"Our GOD is able to deliver us from your hand, o king...
and, even if he does not, we will not bow down."

Powerful. Moving.

Thank you, Dear.

😄😇😄

@creatr