All summer long my garden gets visited by these beautiful Western Swallowtails.
They very much love the butterfly bushes I planted, but really go crazy over Peruvian lilies.
The swallowtails love basking in the hot afternoon sun and feed on the Alstroemeria’s nectar.
Once they land on the blossoms they sip and sip and sip.
They spread their wings, sip some more and then …
… they take a careful step with their long legs …
… and reach for the next flower near them.
Ahhhhhhh! Almost there! Just one more teensy step!
Is this the perfect nectar-filled flower?
“Let me check!”
The answer must be yes!
Are you ready to dive head first into your weekend?
Happy Friday!
🙂
in cahoots with muddy boots 
Majestic! 🙂
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Thank you, Tom! I’m happy to see that you are back! 🙋♀️
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Really supper dupper pictures! Beyond words. You’ve got me looking forward to summer and more BUTTERFLIES!
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Thank you Christine! I look forward to summer too and wish I could visit your garden! Some day … 😘
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I absolutely love butterflies Sabine! Really great shots too!
I heard the Monarch numbers are declining! I’d love to go see them gathering in northern Mexico!
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Thanks Wayne! I love butterflies too and would love to see the monarchs gathering anywhere really. I usually see a few when I visit my friend in Northern California. She gets some in her flower garden. I’ve never seen a monarch up here in Portland. But I do have milkweed growing just in case!
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I grew up with Monarchs! My dad even drove a Monarch!
I’m amazed at their migration to and from Mexico!
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We used to have them in California. I love all butterflies, but monarchs are truly special! I think they’re in serious decline unfortunately. And their incredible migration is something else altogether. Every year I wonder if one day I go outside and find a monarch in my garden! Maybe some day I will!
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I do think you are off the beaten migration path Sabine being in California Sabine.
Yes,that will be a special day! You have Milkweed in your garden I assume?
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Oh, I’m in Portland, Oregon. Used to live in California until 15 years ago. I’ve had people tell me that there used to be monarchs here. I’ll ask at the nursery sometime. They know all this stuff.
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and please let me know too Sabine?
I looked up their migration route….It appears that there is a coastal route onto it’s self!
So you should get them in Oregon?
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml
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I will let you know! Hey, check my blog for a bald eagle post. I had an amazing encounter with a pair at the park in early January. I was thinking of you when I stood under the tree and they were checking me out. Such amazing creatures! You’re so lucky to have them up in Tofino!
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Such vibrant photos, Sabine. With six legs to maneuver, each step is quite a feat. Good thing they also have wings.
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This guy made it look easy as I watched him step from flower to flower. I’m sure the wings help with the balance and keeping upright.
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Fabulous! And soon enough they will return to our flowers. Hope you had a great weekend, Sabine.
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Yes, we had a good weekend! Thanks for asking, Missy! 🙋♀️
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These butterflies are so close-up and so beautiful Sabine, as are the flowers. It makes me think Summery thoughts. I was lucky to find the Lantana plants at the community garden and the Monarchs and Swallowtails sipping on them. I didn’t notice their long legs before until you show it as they step from bloom to bloom. Butterflies are such exquisite creatures.
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Exquisite they are! Aren’t they, Linda! We get these all summer long and while I enjoy them close up on the flowers, I also love watching them dance through the treetops in the last sunbeams of the day. Summer can’t get here fast enough this year. 🙋♀️
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Yes, just looking at their bright colors makes me feel warmer Sabine. They are so delicate. I enjoyed going to that park and community garden around the corner to see the butterflies there. The Monarchs and Swallowtails couldn’t get enough of that bright orange Lantana. I agree with you – it’s a week today since I went on a walk and it will be even colder this weekend with 2-4 inches of snow. If it doesn’t happen tomorrow, it could be another week. I hope the critters are okay – they are on my mind.
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Hopefully you’ll get a chance to get out and feed the critters. I would think that they’re going to be okay and are keeping snuggled up in their nests. It’s gotten really cold here too and the sleet is coming down. A perfect “dreaming of summer” day!
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I hope I can Sabine but we have snow moving in tonight/over the next 24 hours (1-4 inches) and even colder. I really thought this morning was the best change, but roads were still slippery … the cold had subsided though it was a northeast wind at 10 mph and temps in single digits. I like to think they stay up there in the nest. I would not drive in this weather either – it would have to be a real emergency, so I would only go to the Park on foot.
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