Some folks are really into chasing imaginary creatures with their cellphones. I prefer to chase living creatures with my camera and captured this image of a beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) yesterday as it was feeding at Green Spring Gardens, a county-run historic garden in Northern Virginia.
The butterfly gave me multiple opportunities to get shots as it flew around a small area of the gardens, but it rarely gave me an obstructed view. Often it was partially buried in the flowers or turned away from me at an angle. When I took this shot, the butterfly had opened its wings and offered me a rare look at its body as well as its amazingly long proboscis.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beautiful!!!!
Really beautiful, Mike… And I have to agree with your comment about chasing real creatures – so much more satisfying that having your nose in your not so smart phone!
So true. That put a smile on my face.
Here in Paris, th r are Los and lots of flowers. I have yet to see a butterfly. Even at Giverny, Monet’s home, only one commm o n cabbage butterfly. I did get a picture of a snail in the blooms. I’ll have to show you when I get back.
Well said!!
Thanks.