Butterfly of Somekind...

[ThatGuyRick]

I was looking out into the backyard from the sunroom and saw a beautiful large butterfly that I have seen many times. It fluttered from flower to flower, seeming to know where it was going even though it took quite a zig-zag path to get there. It was a very dark color (almost black) with iridescent blue markings,and some lighter markings.  I picked up my butterfly I.D. book (I have butterfly, bird, reptile & amphibians and other I.D. books) and tried to figure out what kind of butterfly it was. Well, I think it may have been a Spicebush Swallowtail or a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. 
I watched it as it zig-zaged from one plant to another. 
A hummingbird flew to my sugar water feeder so I watched it on the feeder for a while then turned my attention back to the butterfly. A little white butterfly flew by, and also an orange-ish small butterfly flew by. I was distracted by the other activity in the yard but soon turned my attention back to the original object of my interest, the butterfly with the iridescent markings. The little thing went back and forth, up and down, one flower to the next. He/she seemed to know where he was going even though he took an indirect path to get there. As I watched, the little creature flew into my neighbors yard and then to who knows where. 
It's gone now but I know it will be back because I have seen it several times, or at least one that look like it. 
There is a lot of stuff that happens right under our noses that we don't ever realize. I need to zig-zag to the grocery store now and get something for tonight's supper. I hope the butterfly finds his favorite flower and remembers where it is. Bon appitit, little butterfly.  - Rick -

[grandmazn8]

Watching butterflies and birds is fun.

[plantdoctor]

Rick...the butterflies are amazing to watch.  They flutter from one flower to the next as you mentioned.  I do plant many flowers that they seem to enjoy more than others.  We are blessed with many Monarchs, although we do see some swallowtails on occasion.

I believe this is a Black Tiger Swallowtail, but will stand corrected by someone more familiar with them than I am.


   

[Deleted]

Very pretty, Charlene! Rick, please take and post pics!

[Ladybird]

Charlene I get those kind. Beautiful pics

[iliz9]

Rick, I was also this morning switching my pots around, usual to me, and zig-zag...ing everywhere when a beautiful Monarch ? butterflied caught my attention, so pretty to watch. I was happy that my camera was very close to me, but by the time I grabbed it, the BT was gone, then came back, then flew away, it was teasing me, catch my pic if you can, sort of game, then I noticed some of the little medium dark tiny ones,..not soon enough my resident Hummer came along and got very disgusted that I was in its turf...Wish I have more of these beauties around... Happy to hear about your experience!!

[Gayle]

For comparison, this is a Spicebush Swallowtail.

[Gayle]

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

[carross]

I have had very few butterflies this year, just a few in the past 2 weeks. I had a book just for butterflies, but I can't find it. Very pretty pictures.