Walking through the meadow at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, I felt the midday heat bearing down on me. The summer sun was relentless, but my determination to capture the perfect shot of a butterfly kept me going. It was a serene day, the kind where the air hums with the sound of insects and the leaves rustle gently in the breeze.
As I wandered, I noticed a dark blue butterfly fluttering around, which I later identified as a Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus). Its movements were erratic, making it a challenge to photograph. Each time it landed, I would slowly approach, camera in hand. But before I could press the shutter, it would take off again, flitting to another flower.
I chased the Spicebush Swallowtail around the meadow, feeling both the excitement and frustration of the pursuit. It was quite active, and I was growing hot and tired. Finally, I managed to snap two photographs before losing sight of it entirely. The first photo shows the Swallowtail with its wings fully open, showcasing its intricate patterns.
With its wings spread wide, I could see a strong iridescent blue and black colouration, especially on the hindwings. The upper sides of its wings were predominantly black, with the hindwings featuring vivid blue scaling. The edges of the hindwings have a series of white spots with a few orange spots near the body. This is typical of a male Spicebush Swallowtail.
In the second photo, the Spicebush Swallowtail is approaching a purple flower. The underside of the wing is visible in this shot, showing a more muted colour palette compared to the upper side. The underside of the wing has a series of pale blue and orange spots. I prefer the pattern on the underside of the wing.
Despite the heat and the challenge, I was thrilled to have these two photos.