Look what I found in the yard the other day

Discussion in 'Butterfly / Moth' started by toni, Jun 14, 2014.

  1. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    [​IMG]
    Giant Swallowtail ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden )
    It's wingspan is about 6.5 inches.
    It stayed like that for several minutes so I was able to get 3 photos before it flitted off. Sightings of them in my area are fairly rare according to the http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/spec ... resphontes website. So if you scroll down that page, one of those orange dots in Texas is me. I sent them the info and photo and it has been added to their database.
     
    Frank, eileen, dooley and 6 others like this.
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  3. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    That's awesome Toni! I haven't seen any butterflies OR Honey Bees yet this year :( That one sure is a beauty.
     
  4. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    You must have been so excited when you saw it Toni. Thank goodness you had the presence of mind to take photographs of it. It's a real beauty. :-D
     
  5. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Giant Swallowtails only visit the best gardens. Guess yours qualifies, Toni!
     
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  6. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    How wonderful that you were home to see it Toni!
     
  7. Donna S

    Donna S Hardy Maple

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    What a thrill for you.
     
  8. Sherry8

    Sherry8 I Love Birds!

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    toni...what a beautiful butterfly you captured in your photo. I have never had a giant swallowtail here yet.
     
  9. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    You did great to get it's picture. I've seen a couple around here, but they seem to be in a hurry and never stop for very long.
     
  10. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I was shocked when I first saw it just spread out on the shrub, it gave me the impression that it had just emerged from the chrysalis and was letting it's wings dry.
    I begged it to stay right there so I could get the camera and it did. I got two telephoto and one long shot, cropping the long shot resulted in a much better photo than the telephoto shots were.

    I saw it the next day (or another just like it) floating down the street looking for something to sip on.
    Not sure what it found around here since I don't have it's nectar food or caterpillar favorite in my yard yet. I have to find a Rue plant somewhere.
     
  11. Green Fingers

    Green Fingers Seedling

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    She's a beauty! Nice Click Toni.
     
  12. Tooty2shoes

    Tooty2shoes Hardy Maple

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    Yes I agree. Very beautiful indeed. :stew1:
     

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