Category Archives: Insects

Swallowtail on Statice

I’ve referred to this type of butterfly as a Black Swallowtail before, but have learned it is probably a Palamedes Swallowtail.

Palamedes Swallowtail
Palamedes Swallowtail

Either way, this one put on a nice show for me while he was getting some sustenance from statice growing at the edge of a pond.

Palamedes Swallowtail
Palamedes Swallowtail

I was able to shift a little and get a different background that was all vegetation.

Palamedes Swallowtail
Palamedes Swallowtail

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, Green Pond, SC
August 27, 2023

Dragonfly On Patrol

It had been a slow morning for photographing wildlife so I stopped for this young Alligator. I didn’t see the dragonfly until I was looking at the images on my computer.

Dragonfly Sharing Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Sharing Alligator Ramp

After the first image I moved along for a different angle of the Alligator, still not seeing the dragonfly. He was following a tight flight path, with just two seconds between the next and final images.

Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp

The Alligator is probably 2 to 3 years old, based on his size and camouflage coloration.

Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp
Dragonfly Patrolling Over Alligator Ramp

Magnolia Plantation & Garden, Charleston, SC
June 16, 2023