Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle

Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle

A patch of thistle was growing at the edge of a parking area at Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Cuddo Unit. I suspect it was planted or at least encouraged by human intervention: it was a little too neat to be just wild.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle
Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle, Bee Photobomber

An assortment of insects were working the thistle blooms, with a Black Swallowtail standing out.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle
Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle

The blooms were in all stages of development, some well on their way to releasing seeds for a new crop.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle
Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle

2 thoughts on “Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Thistle”

Leave a Reply