Tiger Swallowtail

Those red zinnias are a siren call for even more butterflies this morning. This elegant tiger swallowtail returned again and again, probing his proboscis for nectar. Even the hummingbird knows where to come for a snack throughout the day.

The large, red zinnias outside my library window have become quite the attraction. In just the past half-hour, three different kinds of butterflies stopped for a drink of nectar. This dark swallowtail sat and posed for quite a while.

During the morning hours, handsome, American Goldfinch males peck at the petals. Their vivid yellow coats and black markings are considerably brighter in coloration than the duller hued females.