“Colors are the smiles of nature.” ~Leigh Hunt
Swallowtail and pansies
swallowtail
Zebra Swallowtail
Unhampered by the missing sword-like tail on one of its hind wings, this Zebra Swallowtail gently floated along the roadside, making its way from flower to flower. It was a truly amazing and beautiful sight to watch.
“O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” ~ Psalm 104:24, NLT
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
This Tiger Swallowtail visited one of the vines in my yard in the late afternoon. It had suffered a tear to its left hind wing, probably as the result of a bird bite. Fortunately, it was one of the lucky ones that got away, and this didn’t hamper its movement as it gracefully fluttered from flower to flower sipping nectar. Watching this beautiful butterfly was one of the highlights of my day.
“There’s no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.” ~Unknown
Black Swallowtail on a Purple coneflower
“… find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all.” ~Robert Louis Stevenson
Swallowtail on a butterfly bush
“Discovering this idyllic place, we find ourselves filled with a yearning to linger here, where time stands still and beauty overwhelms.” ~Unknown
Spicebush Swallowtail
One morning last week, a beautiful swallowtail was mud-puddling in our back yard. I couldn’t help but grab the camera and take a few shots. 🙂
“We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understandings and our hearts.” – William Hazlett
walking on a country road 