The north side of our front yard is a certified National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat. Really! We have a certificate! You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young. It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit. I have a series of posts to show you our Garden Guests.
I'm not completely sure which swallowtail this beauty is. Please feel free to correct me if this is not a Black Swallowtail. ;-) I will be grateful for the feedback. My best guess is Black Swallowtail, but the black form of Tiger Swallowtails frequently throw me off my game! ;-)
During this shoot, I actually captured two butterflies in the same frame... More than once!! I was so excited when they were downloaded. Do you see the second butterfly in the photo above?
I love that in this shot one butterfly has landed and the other is approaching.
'Not quite in focus, but anyone who attempts nature photography will appreciate my excitement that the frame holds TWO butterflies IN FLIGHT! Be still, my beating heart! ;-)
I hope you get to enjoy the peaceful sound of wings that gently flutter by and then pause.
If you would like to see more, please take a look at my Gardening Page
I'm not completely sure which swallowtail this beauty is. Please feel free to correct me if this is not a Black Swallowtail. ;-) I will be grateful for the feedback. My best guess is Black Swallowtail, but the black form of Tiger Swallowtails frequently throw me off my game! ;-)
During this shoot, I actually captured two butterflies in the same frame... More than once!! I was so excited when they were downloaded. Do you see the second butterfly in the photo above?
I love that in this shot one butterfly has landed and the other is approaching.
'Not quite in focus, but anyone who attempts nature photography will appreciate my excitement that the frame holds TWO butterflies IN FLIGHT! Be still, my beating heart! ;-)
I hope you get to enjoy the peaceful sound of wings that gently flutter by and then pause.
It's been a while since I posted music. We had the chance to see Dan and Shay in concert when they were in Little Rock with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton. This song makes me smile. From the Ground Up.
What's happening in your back yard?
;-) -Marci
Marci, your photos are amazing! Did you use a remote for these?
ReplyDeleteSharing on Facebook. :)
Hello, gorgeous captures of the butterflies. Pretty song! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat must be so incredible to photograph nature that way, such gorgeous butterflies. Your photos are excellent.
ReplyDeleteAbout all that's happening in our back yard are lives of 5 chickens, birds that come to visit, eat some of chickens treats, have 3 or 4 pair of doves which hang out in our back yard. Our older cat goes out to watch chickens, no he doesn't chase or bother them, never has. Our dog tries to herd them now and then but mostly ignores chickens. Chickens like to hang out under our old Suburban parked in lower part of back yard. Can see them under there taking dirt baths.
All kinds of wild birds come to roost in our trees and eat food we put out for them.
Can't hear song as have hearing loss.
Having good holiday weekend? Hope so.
Butterflies in a garden is a sign of health garden and butterflies fill the garden with new life. Very pleasing photographs of garden and butterflies.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful pictures! The butterflies have been so plentiful here in Indiana this summer it is amazing! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh wow - your pictures are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great weekend!
~Laurie
Marci, your photos are a treat! That shot with both of them in flight is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI could be totally wrong, but that almost looks like the Pipevine Swallowtail... They have shorter "tails" and the wings are more rounded, plus they lack the red spots at the base of the wing. In the in-flight photo, it looks like they have a lot of blue on their backs, but they look more black in the still shots, so I can't really tell. Swallowtails can be so similar! I use this page to help identify mine, maybe it would help you with future visitors to your garden: http://butterfliesathome.com/black-swallowtail-butterfly-comparison.htm
Sorry for the long comment from a butterfly nerd! I really enjoyed your photos.
Thank you for the info. I struggle with identifying swallowtails. Maybe with this site, my skills will get better.
DeleteButterfly Nerd. LOL! 'Something we definitely have in common! Did you notice my post on Tiger Swallowtails a couple of weeks ago?
I did see that one! I get tons of those and the giant swallowtails in the fall, but I've never managed to get a photo of one without damage to its wings. I refuse to mow down the plants they breed on, but I never knew you could get a part of your yard certified as a habitat. I'm looking in to it, thanks to you!
DeleteReally lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteI love butterflies.I accidentally capture two in a video clip mating. I was totally amazed. Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of getting my backyard certified! I'm always striving to provide shelter and food for wildlife. I love inviting hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects to my gardens. Stunning photographs :) Thank you so much for sharing with us this week at Dishing It & Digging It!
ReplyDeleteWow! Those photos are amazing! They are such beautiful creatures x
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful captures of the butterflies. I would like to invite you to our party. We would love to have you! https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/09/07/the-homesteader-hop19/
ReplyDeleteYour photos of the butterflies are amazing and how lovely that you have a special part of your yard for all the wildlife!
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to know that the north side of your front yard is a certified National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat. How lovely to live with so many wonderful living things. Thank you for sharing the Black Swallowtail with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I'm Pinning and sharing!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. They reminded me of my childhood when my brother and I would catch butterflies (I wince at that now). We had our butterfly books to identify the various swallowtails -- you didn't mention zebra swallowtails. How wonderful to have part of your yard certified. I saw your link at the Sweet Inspiration link party.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Marci! What a lovely sight to see in your own garden. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to #pocolo
Superb photos what kind of camera??
ReplyDeleteThank you! My camera is a Nikon. -Marci
DeleteThose photos are wonderful!! And I have a Nikon too. What lens did you use? I wanted a full-frame but I couldn't go that far :-( Perhaps one day . . .
ReplyDeleteYour photos are awesome! That's great about the National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat! Shared on Fb, G+, Pn, and Tw ♥
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post and your photography is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!!
ReplyDeleteStunning photographs! I can't wait until spring and the return of butterflies!
ReplyDelete- Nancy
Your photographs are just beautiful! It would be so much fun to have a certified wildlife habitat; especially for someone like me because I just love any type of wildlife. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete