Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Zebra Swallowtail

Cabbage White butterfly feeding at thistle

I caught just a glimpse of her,
skipping boldly through the field
on the long, striped wings I have waited for.

Coneflower in garden

But today, I cannot find her,
though at every other flower and stem,
wings lay open,
hungry mouths feed.

Skipper feeding at teasel

Little Wood-Satyr on goldenrod stem

I hope she will remember me,
the Paw-Paws planted,
just as she likes them,
in the shaded grove.

Three small trees.


Paw paws planted





Zebra Swallowtail, Eurytides marcellus

Just as Monarchs go with milkweed, so, too, do Zebra Swallowtails and the Paw-Paw tree.
As wooded areas are cleared, this native understory tree is often lost.
In April, hoping to attract Zebra Swallowtail butterflies, I planted 3 small trees.

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12 comments:

bobbie said...

Thank you for the butterflies.

I haven't seen nearly so many this year. Only a few cabbage whites in my garden and a couple of others elsewhere.

Carolyn H said...

Nina, I love zebra swallowtails. They are the least common of the swallowtails around here. I haven't yet gotten a photo I like of one, so I really enjoyed seeing yours. Thanks!

Carolyn h.

photowannabe said...

I haven't seen many butterflies either so thanks for showing us some lovely ones to brighten our day.

Deborah Godin said...

Ah, three trees planted! May you reap a harvest of Zebra -swallowtails for years to come!

Janie said...

I've never seen a zebra swallowtail, maybe because we don't have any paw paw trees around here. She's a beautiful butterfly, and the other shots are great, too.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Did you purchase your paw paws? I would love to get some into the ground here. Beautiful photos Nina. They enhance your words.

Robin said...

I'm rather fond of the Cabbage White....

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos, Nina. I miss the pawpaws I planted in Virginia, and we don't have enough shade in this yard for them.

Regina said...

Beautiful shots. Nice Z.

Regina

RuthieJ said...

Can't wait to see your Zebra Swallowtail!

Julie Zickefoose said...

LIttle skipper is a Peck's. Nice flowers! I love the aqua evanescence in the zebra's white. Mmm.

Anonymous said...

oops zebra...

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