It is always special to get a shot of a Zebra Swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus). Normally they are in constant motion, rarely perching for more than a split second. I spotted this one on Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge and was struck by its pristine condition—so many butterflies that I see at this time of the year are tattered and faded, but still surviving.
I suspect that this one butterfly might have only recently emerged. According to information from the Maryland Biodiversity Project, Zebra Swallowtails in this area fly in several broods, from mid-April, early July, and again in early September.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Beautiful capture, Mike, a perfect specimen.
I am totally ok with photographing dragonflies and butterflies no matter what their condition. That being said, I have to agree with you, Eliza, on the beauty of this perfect specimen.
Very nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing your Zebra Swallowtail image!
Gorgeous
Thanks, Tricia.
Awesome capture of beautiful species.
Thanks, Michael. I am often in awe of the beauty of the creatures that I am blessed to see in the wild.
Nature has the same effect on me.
I’ve never seen one of these. Look how long those ‘tails’ are!
We have a number of different swallowtails in our area, but the Zebra Swallowtail definitely takes the prize for having the most impressive “tail.”
Wonderful photograph of one of my very favorite butterflies!
Thanks, Wally. I am a northern boy, having grown up in Massachusetts, so it is a real treat to see a species like the Zebra Swallowtail.
I don’t think I have ever seen one so perfect, not damaged at all. Great shot.
Thanks, Ted. So many of the ones that I see have damage to the long swallowtails, which would seem to get in the way when flying through vegetated areas. Those tails are really striking when the condition of the butterfly is as perfect as this one.
It was really beautiful.
Spectacular, Mike and with a touch of red!
Thanks, Chris. I am glad the person who named the species focused on the black and white stripes and not the red spot. If he had emphasized the spot he might have created a name similar to a species of insect that has two red spots and is called the Twice-stabbed Stink Bug. (https://michaelqpowell.com/2012/07/23/twice-stabbed-stink-bug-captured-alive/)
[…] and longer, black tails with white edges. For the sake of comparison, I reprised a photo from a 6 September 2021 blog posting. The butterfly in the second photo, a summer form butterfly, indeed looks darker than the one in […]