This is the first big Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes Fabricius, 1775)of 2009. This guy was resting along the lake shore in Deltona, early in the evening. I had a camera in hand with a 250 mm lens, not the best for taking a close up . . .but the image came out OK.
The butterfly did not like the attention and took off, soon after I captured this image. They appear to be attracted to the Lyonia spp. (stagger bush) blooming in our woods.
The most prevalent species of Lyonia is likely Lyonia ferruginea (Walter) Nutt. These native bushes are also attracting a large number of bumble bees. . .which I have not yet captured on film in 2009.
Forcing myself to take the time to sit and watch for these natural wonders is a chore these days. I never seem to get caught up with everything that I have to do. . .and I hate to rush. As Spring takes hold I intend to spend more time outside looking and learning. . . and leaving more of the postpone -able chores for Fall-Winter.
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