First Giant Swallowtail Ever

11 years ago

We were out by the pool this afternoon and saw this big black butterfly flying back and forth through the deck. I could see the distinct black triangle across the upper side of its wings and the yellow on the underside. I have been seeing butterflies for many years and I never remember seeing one before.

Comments (8)

KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
11 years ago
Always exciting when some lep you have never seen before, but wanted to see, drops in for a visit.
terrene
11 years ago
Congrats on seeing this beautiful butterfly!

I've had 2 Giant Swallowtail sightings in my garden in the past couple weeks (maybe it was the same one). This is especially exciting because they are very rare in Mass., but it seems that we are experiencing a "flight year" because there have been scattered sightings throughout the state!
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imabirdnut
11 years ago
hagar3, Congratulations!!! What part of the country are you in?
They are one of my most favorite BFs & they have been very scarce here in North Texas this year! I have just been seeing a few a week just recently...they had been one of the most frequent sightings in my yard in previous years!
Take care,
Lila
Rhonda
11 years ago
Congrats Hagar! I had a couple hanging around my bottle brush this weekend. The past few days, the butterflies seem to have been more active, I also had a pipevine swallowtail but it didn't stick around long enough for me to run in and get my camera. I am going to post a few pics of one of the giants. They certainly don't keep their wings in one place very long. I shot at 1/1250 of a second and still had trouble getting sharp pics :)
Rhonda
11 years ago
another pic.
Rhonda
11 years ago
Last one...I took about 200 pics so I could go on forever :)
hagar3
Original Author
11 years ago
Rivrd01, Thanks for responding especially with those beautiful pictures. I had my camera but could not get it to slow down for a picture even though it made several passes.

Imabirdnut, thanks for uour response. I'm from Central GA, just South of Macon. You must be from really far North Texas in zone 7b. I have driven from Dallas through Wichita Falls several times. I always enjoyed the trip. From your nickname you seem to belike me. I like the Butterflies, Hummingbirds, and the other variety of birds. I always try to provide something for all of them.
Rhonda
11 years ago
You're very welcome Hagar and thanks for the compliments :) For such a large butterfly, they sure are fast....good luck with the camera next time he comes around.