I had to take about 20 pictures to get just 1 good 1 of this black and blue butterfly; it was just as fast as a hummingbird. Its a good thang I was standing on flat ground or I would have probably fell and busted my nose or broke something, but I think this is a good picture. I don't know any fancy names of butterflies but when I saw it I couldn't believe I had my camera in my hands. I guess I need to start putting my camera in my truck 'cause you never know what you may see!
Looks like a Pipevine Swallowtail, Battus philenor http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/46/
I'll just call it a black and blue butterfly; I'm a country girl or sometimes I call myself a hillbilly, around he we just call thangs by their common name.
What part of VA are you close to? I've been to Fredricksburg and Richmond and have a niece that lives in Hampton.
Thanks for your posting.
South of Frederick, Maryland - Just across the Patomac River in Virginia.
