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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Butterflies (Lepidoptera) (8 Galleries) >> Swallowtails (Papilionidae) > Giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
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15-AUG-2013 Christine Hanrahan

Giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)

Thanks to a tip from a fellow PBaser, I finally saw some giant swallowtails and got a few photos. Only this one stayed around to nectar but it fluttered its wings constantly creating a blur, and would not remain still, so it was a challenge to get even this shot. But anyway, I was happy just to watch it for 10-15 minutes, as it moved from one red clover flower to another alongside the trail, ignoring all other flowering plants.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/320s f/5.7 at 100.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Don17-Aug-2013 22:01
Do they ever sit still? Swallowtails are indeed a challenge; you've conveyed well that this is a "flutterby".
Ika Zinka Eferl16-Aug-2013 19:17
Nice catch,beautiful!V
Helen Betts16-Aug-2013 13:05
I really like the blurred wings, giving a great sense of motion. Great detail on the flower and body as well. V.
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