Wings open - for a nano-second

The California Pipevine Swallowtail from yesterday. He never stopped flapping his wings, he had beautiful iridescent blue markings, only visible in a blur.

[katy]

“They flap their wings rapidly to provide suction in their proboscis. The muscles of their thorax both move the wings and make their guts expand and contract. This is how the nectar gets sucked into their gut”

They also use their wings for temperature control, so maybe he was incredibly hot. That wouldn’t surprise me in Texas right now. At any rate, it is still a beautiful photo even with the motion blur, Lou Ann

[Joan Robillard]

Lovely

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Lovely that you are seeing such pretty butterflies. I have not spotted many here yet.

[Diana]

The colours are so amazing!

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Beautiful capture and that is one large looking butterfly.

[Michelle]

Such an amazing colour

[Carole Sandford]

Fantastic colours!

[carol white]

Beautiful

[Ann H. LeFevre]

My first thought was that he must be cooling off. That heat must be unbearable to go out in so I hope you are able to stay inside and stay cool.

[Babs]

You have to be quick with butterflies don't you.

[Lou Ann]

@grammyn thank you Katy. I’m sure it is the heat, we are really struggling right now.

[Jane Pittenger]

The motion blur works well

[Diane]

I love the motion blur and the sharply focused flowers. I worry about all the animals (and people!) in this heat. It's very dry here, too.

[KWind]

Super shot!

[Dione Giorgio]

Fabulous capture. Butterflies are very difficult to capture when in flight.

[Brian]

Awesome capture. Stay hydrated. Katy thanks for the explanation of the function of the wings. fav

[Lin]

So pretty against those pink blossoms.

[bkb in the city]

Great timing

[Islandgirl]

Wow love how you captured the movement!
Stay cool!