Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus

Nothing says paradise like watching a pair of these babies flit about the flora from the comfort of your lawn chair, especially if you brought a margarita with you. These butterflies are languid and enormous and close to spectacular.

All males and some females are yellow with black trim. Females may also manifest an excellent black and blue variation. Out of the corner of the eye, these look like bats in slow motion.

Right: Female, Twisty Compound, August 2003

Below left : Barton Creek, Austin, August 2004

Below right: Twisty Compound, August 2004 This specimen, taking a nectar break in the midst of flitting around with a black female, was bigger than my hand.