black swallowtail by Richardphotos
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Butterflies go wherever they please and please wherever they go. They are messengers of nature, not only adding brilliance to their surroundings but also pollinating flowers and revealing the healthiness of our communities. Historically, butterflies have been revered in art and lore but otherwise have been ignored. Today, however, we are beginning to realize the many benefits of these smaller wildlife forms.
The Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes asterius Stoll
Color:
P. polyxenes has a black body with yellow spots along each side. The wings are black, dorsal side, with two bands of yellow markings running down laterally. On the lower wings, the female has a distinctive blue band of coloration between the two yellow bands, with a red spot near the tails, whereas the male has less blue with more distinctive red spots. On the ventral side, there are brilliant orange-red and blue markings located laterally, on the lower wings, and two rows of yellow markings located laterally on the upper wings (Klots, 172, 1979).
Size: The Black Swallowtail is 2.75-3.5 inches in width (Klots, 172, 1979), and 3-3.5 inches in height. http://www.holoweb.com/cannon/black4.htm
I have seen these huge butterflies several times but never got a good capture. I was walking in between rain showers and noticed this lady come for a touchdown landing. they look like stealth bombers. I was leaning over a stone ledge capturing her when the rain started again. I threw the camera in the bag just in time as it started pouring before I could get to my FJ
one lake that was way below just 2 months ago is now 18'0" above normal

Comments (97)
Oh, so that is what they are called, a lovely fly Richard.........
FANTTICA FOTO,LINDOS DETALHES.++++++++5
Very well done work!!!!!!!!!!!
that so beatiful!!!:)
Wow..awesome..
Lovely swallowtail capture and good info too. Stay dry my good man!
Wonderful captured Richard and thank you for the explanations!!!Marvelous!! Thanks for sharing!!! Hugs Ute
Excellent capture! Bravo!!!
yahoooooooooooooooo---Richard what a capture you got here wonderful and awesome shot !!
Beautiful I have a black swallowtail too Not pretty as this one tho... At first no butterflys here forever now am bombared with them grin Love this sweetie Hugs Susan~
Lovely capture. Awesome details and color on this. Bunny
Great POV and detail in this capture, Richard! Except for the black color, it's an exact duplicate of some of the butterflies I shot last May. Yours looks in fantastic shape.
Beautiful macro ... awesome work!
Excellent capture, you can almost count the wing scales. Great work..
So beautiful! I was stalking a swallowtail all over my yard today but never could get a good shot of it. :P
Beautiful Shot! Stunning colors!
Superb job, you captured so much of the wonderful colors and details!
Oh! Dear Richard, your lady is a stunner. I have been chasing red admirals all day... No shot :-( It was fun though, the sun was out for about 1 hour!!! The red admirals danced in the sun. I wonder where butterflies go when it rains.. I have never ever seen a swallowtail in real. You are so luchy to snap this pretty one. I cannot imagine a butterfly this size!!!!! BIG :-) Thanks for info too. It is a glorious shot.. We have rain, rain then more rain here too. Gentle hugs for happy night. I love this capture a lot :-) Diane.
Wonderful photography and wonderful knowledge imparted !
wow ! a big shot !! 5*
A super shot Richard and the world would lose a lot if we didn't have them. You do sound to have had a lot of rain, just think how things will grow.
I took a photo of one this week end . My came out on a purple tone to it. cool shot here plus your is more sharper
Great shot and good info about the importance of pollinators
Fantastic butterfly! Great shot!
Incredible photo Richard and thanks so much for the details, that really is a extra touch that not everyone is willing to do.
Very well done work!!!!!!!!!!!
Superb capture..really nice! :)
Very Nice!! I don't see many butterflies around here. That one is gorgeous, and the information is nice too!
I am amazed at the wonderful images of butterflies here. This is no exception. Excellent work!
Beautiful :-)