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Giant Swallowtail
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
One of my best shots, after chasing this fluttering butterfly all over 3 different flower pots of impatients. He is also showing his best wing, the other one was tattered. Not sure if it was from attacks by birds or it was getting near the end of it's life. I was pretty excited, I had never seen this species of swallowtail before, & knew it was different. I will post a WS photo of the topside to show it's colors. I never got a decent shot of the topside. I was disappointed not very many shots out of about 40 came out very good.
From Wiki:
The Giant Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) is a swallowtail butterfly common in various parts of North America, particularly the south and east. With a wingspan of about 10-16 cm[1] , it is the largest butterfly in the United States.
Giant Swallowtail caterpillars feed primarily on citrus plants, prickly ash, and hoptrees. They are known as Orange Dogs to citrus farmers because of their destructive capabilities.
The caterpillar has two effective adaptations for defense against birds. The first is a reddish osmeterium that is extended when the insect is provoked, releasing foul-smelling pheromones thought to deter birds. The larva are also camouflaged to resemble bird droppings.
The adults' wings are black, with two striking yellow stripes across the forewings and hindwings.
Giant Swallowtails feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers, but are known to enjoy azalea, bougainvilla, goldenrod, Japanese honeysuckle, and milkweed
Thanks to all who view or critique! Hope you enjoy! :} Don |
shaukatmi, brunorsantana has marked this note useful
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Congratulations Don.Good colorful shot with excellent DOF and POV. Photographing them does require a lot of patience and it seems your patience paid off in the form of a memorable photograph. thanks for the nice note. Cheers.
Great shot, Donald! Beautiful colors, a nice composition and a good note too! Well done!
Regards,
Bruno
great capture Donald
nice details and colors
great composed
regards
T
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