Swallowtails in the forest

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Swallowtails in the forest

April 15, 2022 by Mike Powell

On Monday I saw a surprisingly large number of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus) as I explored a stream in Prince William County, Virginia. I used to associate these butterflies with gardens, because that is where I had previously seen them most of the time. Over the past years, though, as I have searched for early spring dragonflies, I have gotten used to seeing these colorful butterflies alongside the streams, often congregating in groups to drink and extract minerals from puddles (see my blog post from last year called A kaleidoscope of butterflies for more information and a photo of this phenomenon).

These swallowtails seemed content to fly about continuously, searching and exploring, but rarely perching. When they did come to the ground, they often landed in patches of fallen leaves, as you can see in the second and third images. I was happy when one of the butterflies opted to perch on a fern, which made it a little easier for me to photograph it.

Posted in Butterflies, Insects, Nature, Photography, spring, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, Papilio glaucus, Prince William County VA, Tamron 180mm | 11 Comments

11 Responses

on April 15, 2022 at 6:18 am | Reply Mitzy Bricker

Aren’t they lovely and cheerful? Thank you for sharing, Mike.

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on April 15, 2022 at 6:20 am | Reply Patricia M Osborne

These are beautiful.
on April 15, 2022 at 7:36 am | Reply shoreacres

I’ve seen a couple this year, but none as fresh and pristine as these. They’re truly beautiful.
on April 15, 2022 at 7:59 am | Reply Joe G.

Fantastic photos! These are great!
- on April 16, 2022 at 7:53 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Joe
on April 15, 2022 at 8:42 am | Reply Dan Antion

I feel like spring has really arrived this week, Mike. Love the photos.
- on April 16, 2022 at 5:03 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. I think we can definitely say that spring is here. 🙂
on April 15, 2022 at 9:27 am | Reply John Hric

Flutterby news is always good news. Thanks Mike !
- on April 16, 2022 at 5:02 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, John. I love your use of “flutterby.” 🙂
on April 19, 2022 at 6:43 am | Reply Butterflies down low | Mike Powell

[…] I did a posting that featured Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus)—see Swallowtails in the forest. None of those butterflies seemed to be involved in searching for nectar and seemed content to […]
on April 20, 2022 at 10:24 am | Reply Reed Andariese

Great Images Mike! Enjoyed seeing them!