Was out in my backyard today and ran across this beauty. This is the time of year that birds go pretty much dormant, so we bird photographers switch to butterflys and wild flowers until Fall migration rolls around.

EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL

Ohhhhhh how pretty!

Your pic sure is a beauty. I had the same suprise today. I was sitting on my porch after whatelse,digging in the dirt, resting a min. and the prettiest butterfly came to my garden. Don't know names yet but I was thrilled. Maybe some of my hard work is paying off.

I got some good pics of a butterfly, and some flowers the other day. On film tho'. There were 3 tiger swallowtails, whenever I picked up the camera they were gone. Must have looked the fool running around my yard with a camera attatched to my eye, loking up, down, where'd they go. Run this way that way. If someone saw they would have thought a bee ws chasing me, except for the camera part. Suprising noone called the looney van!!

Just wondering what kind of plants really attract butterflies? I live in Iowa... Thanks.

Here is a great link that will help you with that Mandi.
Butterfly

Thank you soooo much!! Oh what fun!

You are welcome. Hope you find some things you like there.

Hi Mandi!

Right now I have all sorts of butterflies on my butterfly bushes, coneflowers, monarda, coreopsis, and black eyed suzies.

It's so much fun to watch them flutterby!
Wrennie - I know just how you feel - I was doing that same exact camera dance here the other morning - never did get any pictures though!

Hello Mandi....

Me and Athena were outside yesterday watching a huge butterfly glide from flower to flower...We both felt so bad because one of its pretty wings was torn at the bottom. She kept asking me if it was hurting the butterfly.

Usually when I see some pretty ones I always forget to take my camera out with me. :p

loz - I had a yellow tiger swallowtail here 2 summers in a row that had a torn bottom wing. I don't know if it was the same one returning the next summer - don't know how long they live, but it stuck around all summer both years. I always felt badly for it, but was also so very glad that it was enjoying my numerous butterfly bushes.

Many Butterflies I see have damaged wings but it doesn't seem to bother them at all.

Nat,
That is one gorgeous butterfly......

And a great photo!!!!

I had a Monarch sniffin' out some milkweed plants I let grow in my front yard...
*as invasive as the stuff is, we love watching
those butterflies*