An Old Swallowtail

This old and tattered Yellow Swallowtail was very gracious to let me get close this morning.
Andy P

It was very happy on the Candy Lily.

It paid me no mind at all.

Some times you get lucky.
Andy P

fabulous pics

Very pretty! I had one flitting about today too.
It's a shame they live such short lives.

Thanks. I also wonder how long they live. I had the pleasure of a very old and tattered Monarch last Fall. It too would allow me to get very close while it feed on the Marigolds.
Here is a younger Swallowtail I snapped a little later, on the Agastache.
Andy P

Beautiful shots and butterfly! Age and experience have not diminished it's beauty!

Thanks KK. Yes, they are beautiful no matter what age.
This one spent an hour at the Agastache this morning. It was moving quickly from tiny flower to flower.
Andy P

My DH and I were out in the garden and I managed to get a pic of this butterfly at my butterfly bush. Is it a Swallowtail or Monarch?
What a stupid I am.

NO!! Don't say that! We don't just know by osmosis! It's a Monarch and it's beautiful!

Swallowtail's do have "tails" on the very bottom of their wings. The easy way to ID Monarch's is by their polka dots on the wings and their body. Their bodies are sooo cute! They are orange and black and they like to float around a lot, rather than flapping and flying. Can you tell I love them?

Then our new butterfly friend went on to the sweetest flower in the garden. TeeHee.

So cool, Buckimom. I've had one brush my face as it went by once, but never land on me, lol.

Here is another shot of the younger one on the Agastache.
Andy P

Sorry for the double post....
Andy P


This message was edited Jul 30, 2006 6:00 PM