“Papilio glaucus”

The garden was busy with butterflies today:
» Eastern tailed-Blue
» Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
» Fiery Skippers
» Monarch
» Zebra Swallowtail
But this dorsal view of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (family, Papilionidae; subfamily, Papilioninae) was definitely the “money shot” today! For those of you “keeping score at home” and FWIW, I think this is a female.

(A hummingbird also visited, but as usual, it was gone before I could get close enough for any kind of shot at focal length 250mm. “We’re gonna need a longer lens.”)

I posted a good “dorsal” shot of this species last year, but that butterfly was missing a good chunk of its right hindwing and this one has fantastic blue “wash” over its hindwings.
» “Ventral” view of this species
» ID’ed at BugGuide as Papilio glaucus or “Eastern Tiger Swallowtail”

2021 update. This image appearing in Nature Preserves, the quarterly magazine of the Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York (NSSWNY).

One year ago: “Local history museum”
Two years ago: “Geek Toys III”

[Ramona]

fabulous a FAV

[Deanna Russell]

Beautiful! I really must plant more flowers in my garden!!

[Rick Schies]

You must live at the right spot. I have no hummingbirds and no butterflies. wow, what did I ever do wrong

[Danette Thompson]

Lovely!

[Lisa Pouncy]

This is so gorgeous with the purple background of the buddleia. I can't believe all these amazing butterfly shots you have. I have difficulty getting one :o) xx

[Jean Tookey]

This is lovely. How lucky you are to have so many butterflies in your garden.

[Michelle]

Gosh Thom, that is one mighty awesome shot, Favd

[Ellen E]

that's a beauty. great shot

[Angelique]

The differential focus on this is divine!!!