A stand of Lantana was thriving in a shady spot next to a small pond.

This Swallowtail was all over the flowers.

Why fly when you can walk?

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 20, 2023
A Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly took a turn at these white blooms, part of a wild-ish garden plot at Strawberry Chapel.
A brick wall behind the flowers made interesting patterns.
This insect was looking a bit worn, with part of one of his tails missing. It didn’t seem to affect his flight at all.
September 10, 2022
Strawberry Chapel
Cordesville, South Carolina
A Yellow Swallowtail was diligently working a purple flower head.
I’m surprised at how few butterflies I’ve seen in my travels this spring.
This one was taking full advantage of all sides of these blooms.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 17, 2022
A Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly checking out the Azalea blooms, first the inside.
Then the middle.
Finally the outside.
Then he was gone.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 14, 2022
A large Yellow Swallowtail was working all around a planting of purple salvia.
The butterfly was working hard, in almost constant motion.
As was I as I circled the garden seeking a fully open wing image.
Middleton Plantation, Charleston, SC
September 14, 2021
I’ve had a few posts recently featuring butterflies on a Buttonbush flower head. Here are a few images of just the flower cluster. And yes, it looks a bit like all those virus graphics we’ve been seeing.
The orbs visible in the background are flower heads that have dropped all the individual flowers and are drying out.
And I couldn’t resist another image with a Swallowtail butterfly working over a cluster that is past its prime.
The same bush but a different day than when I saw the Black Swallowtail Upside Down there were two Yellow Swallowtails vying for the same feeding spot.
Carefully working around each flower orb, they never hold still for long.
Finally, having the spot to himself this butterfly spread full winged.
Lastly, an image showing off more of the flowers than the butterfly.
August 4, 2020