Zebra in the flowers

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Zebra in the flowers

July 28, 2025 by Mike Powell

I was thrilled to see this beautiful Zebra Swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus) last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge as it was feeding on some small wildflowers. Although it was missing the tip of one of its wings and one of its long “tails,” it seemed to be functioning perfectly well.

From a photography perspective I was really happy with the way that I was able to compose this image, with flowers in both the foreground and the background and the subject in pretty sharp focus.

Posted in Butterflies, Insects, Nature, Photography, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Canon 7D, Eurytides marcellus, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Tamron 18-400mm, Woodbridge VA, Zebra Swallowtail, Zebra Swallowtail butterfly | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on July 28, 2025 at 9:34 am | Reply lnn61

What a lovely way to start the day! Your photo is positively enchanting, even more so when viewed enlarged. This post, as was Saturday’s “Seeing Red”, is a must save for Benjamin. I’m not sure if you have had time to read my overlong comment on that post. I shall attempt to keep this one a wee bit shorter! This Zebra Swallowtail brought to mind some words found in “The Way of Life according to Lao Tzu” translated by Witter Bynner.
“Those who flow as life flows know
They need no other force :
They feel no wear, they fear no tear,
They need no mending, no repair.”
Thank-you, Mr. Mike.
- on July 28, 2025 at 3:03 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks once again for your kind words and the accompanying bits of wisdom and poetry. I did read your comment to my post “Seeing Red” and chuckled at Benjamin’s justification for switching his favorite color from orange to re–I love the sign that you had made for him. I intended to respond to that comment, but somehow let it slip out of my mind. It’s my version of a “senior moment.” Regarding today’s Zebra Swallowtail, I am happy to hear that you enlarged it to see the details better. That is something that Benjamin would invariably do when looking at my photos. You’ve left me now pondering the flow of life and questioning the degree to which I am in touch with it. Turning to nature is always a way to quiet my overly active mind and to recenter myself.
on July 28, 2025 at 9:35 am | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Amazing photo. Beautiful butterfly and great capture, Mike.
on July 28, 2025 at 9:43 am | Reply creatorwisebea95391c0

Thx,Sent from my iPadMobi
on July 28, 2025 at 4:52 pm | Reply Explorerviews.de

Congratulations on your discovery and this great photo. I have never seen a butterfly like this before
- on July 28, 2025 at 5:08 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Zebra Swallowtails are relatively common where I live in Northern Virginia in the United State.