Nature's smaller creatures cooperated with me and my camera today to give me glimpses into a world seldom seen. The butterflies (two individuals) are Eastern Black Swallowtails, both having emerged from their cocoons this morning, and as a result unable to fly away as I positioned my tripod and took numerous photos. I just love a captive subject! The red dragonfly sat perched on his fennel branch just long enough for me to sneak in close and snap his pic - handheld. Then he flew away to parts unknown.