This past weekend I spotted a black swallowtail fluttering about some bright orange flowers, never stopping for more than a split second. Could I get a shot before it flew away?
Well, I managed to get some shots and then came the tough part—figuring out which black-colored swallowtail I had captured. How hard can that be? For a casual observer like me, there were at least three candidates that immediately came to mind—the black version of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, the Spicebush Swallowtail, and the Pipevine Swallowtail. I recalled that one of the key indicators is the pattern of the orange spots, but I couldn’t remember which one had which pattern.
After some quick research, I’ve concluded this is probably a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor). I was also really taken by the orange plant and think it might be butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a type of milkweed that, as its name suggests, attracts butterflies.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I love how the orange dots on the swallowtail match the flowers it is attracted to!
Thanks, Chris. I love it too when the colors match. One of my biggest challenges for getting any shot was the constant movement of the wings–the butterfly would not sit still.
Well you’ve done well, Mike, your shot is very clear!
Beautiful image, Mike. The black body against the bright orange is a great contrasting combination and the fact the orange in the butterfly is emphasized by the proximity of the bloom is perfect.
Beautiful color and composition!
Nice work with the stranger and great luck with the background. Both count!
I think you’re right about the milkweed, That’s a beautiful shot!