Swallowtail Butterfly on Syringa by amontanaview
Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio sp.) on a the very tip-top of a Syringa shrub in the Bitterroot Mountains west of Victor, MT, USA.
Butterfly species in Montana seem to be declining according to my naturalist class instructor. He said, as a collector, he is seeing fewer and fewer each year.
Canon EOS 7D, 1/2500s, f/8, ISO:2000, 160mm
Cannon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens
Common name for the shrub is Syringa or Mock Orange. It is the state flower for Idaho, begins blooming in late June or early July and has a wonderful sweet smell. No wonder the butterflies like it.
Order – Rosales – Rosales, Family – Hydrangea Family – Hydrangeaceae, Species – Lewis’ Mock Orange – Philadelphus lewisii
The blue background is the sky through another shrub. This was taken on the edge of a ridge looking out over a valley.
July 2011
Comments
What a beautiful capture of both the butterfly and its perch! All nicely complimented by the blue background. It’s interesting to read that your instructor is seeing fewer butterflies this year. I feel I’m seeing more up this way and a wider variety, too.
I am so glad you are seeing more. I am seeing VERY few this year compared to the last few years…don’t know why. Maybe our cool spring? Hopefully next year will be better.
– amontanaview
Wonderful capture
Beautiful!!!!
Thank you! There is pollen flying through the air. So special.
– amontanaview
excellent capture!
12 July 2011 – 1 image per day
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Will do, thanks for the feature and a huge thanks for adding the links!!!
– amontanaview
Too many pesticides in use! Lovely capture! Congratulations! B : )
I share your theory. Thank you for the congrats!
– amontanaview
Thank you Ray.
– amontanaview