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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Mexican Flame Vine with a twist

Just when I thought I had shown the Mexican Flame Vine flowers from every angle this Tiger Swallowtail (papilio glaucus) shows up for a shot of nectar.


The Tiger Swallowtail is striking with its 3.5" wingspan, long tails, and tiger stripes.  After a little research I think this is a female due to the blue spots. 

Although we enjoy the Monarch butterfly migration twice a year, the Tiger Swallowtails are my favorite butterflies because they are with us most of the year.  No eat and run here.  We are on the western edge of their range.


Very calm and less wary than the monarch they make great photo subjects because they keep their wings open while nectaring.


 More acrobatic too.  Here's looking at you kid!


The Mexican Flame Vine will stop blooming soon with the summer heat and may bloom again in the fall.  This one didn't bloom twice last year but it's much larger thanks to a mild winter so if it does I just might have to post again.
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20 comments:

  1. Linda/patchworkApril 2, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    I love this vine. And, yours is gorgeous.

    I hope mine comes back strong. The new growth keeps getting frozen back. Same thing happening to the crossvine, that the deer chomped.


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    1. ShirleyApril 3, 2013 at 9:49 PM

      The deer ate your crossvine? They eat everything at your place. This week isn't helping your MFV much but we should be warming up soon.

      Delete
  2. AlisonApril 2, 2013 at 10:26 AM

    Great shots of the swallowtail butterfly! Like hummingbirds, butterflies tend to elude my camera. The Mexican flame vine is quite gorgeous too!

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    1. ShirleyApril 3, 2013 at 9:50 PM

      The Tiger swallowtail is special because it holds still more than other butterflies, great for photos.

      Delete
  3. LouisApril 2, 2013 at 11:27 AM

    Beautiful!!! I love seeing butterflies in the garden. It just feels right.

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    1. ShirleyApril 3, 2013 at 9:51 PM

      We have so many including the moths and I can't imagine not seeing them in the garden. It means we're doing something right.

      Delete
  4. RohrerbotApril 2, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Wow!!!! Great shots. When they present themselves in a such a light, you have to take the shots...even though you've done it a million times before. I love seeing them. It's great to have the right plants to attract such beautiful creatures to the garden.

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    1. ShirleyApril 3, 2013 at 9:52 PM

      Thank you Chris, you are so good at this I truly appreciate your encouragement.

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  5. outlawgardenerApril 2, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Such a beautiful vine and a gorgeous butterfly! All seems right with the world at moments like the one you captured. Still a little chilly here for the swallowtails but they will be around in a little while!

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    1. ShirleyApril 3, 2013 at 9:52 PM

      We are chilly and rainy today, can't imagine having this weather all the time.

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  6. rickiApril 2, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    A match made in heaven...and you were there to capture it for us...thanks.

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    1. ShirleyApril 3, 2013 at 9:54 PM

      Beautifully said and it was fun to chase butterflies for a day.

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  7. khakiApril 3, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    Great shots!!! I did not know it was a called a Tiger Swallowtail- I always just called it a Swallowtail- thanks! Also new info that the blue is a girl! More useful info!!! I love sitting and watching them- they are everywhere here at the nursery. All over our Flame Vine as well.

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    1. ShirleyApril 3, 2013 at 9:55 PM

      They are mesmerizing and I'm so glad you found the info useful.

      Delete
  8. HolleyGardenApril 3, 2013 at 8:47 AM

    I just love this butterfly, too. So pretty. That last shot is cute! I know it was just crazy over those bright, lovely blooms!

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    1. ShirleyApril 3, 2013 at 9:56 PM

      The butterfly seemed almost intoxicated by the blooms.

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  9. KeityApril 4, 2013 at 5:46 AM

    Great shot, Shirley! haven't known that female tiger butterflies have blue spots. I'm going to find the spot when they come to my garden. Thank you for sharing!

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  10. Heather/xericstyleApril 4, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    Wonderful photos you captured Shirley. That vine is so HOT! Do tell more about it, does it freeze back in colder winters?

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  11. Beth at PlantPostingsApril 4, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    Absolutely stunning photos, Shirley! Words are inadequate. Thanks for the smile you brought to my face today. :)

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  12. Donna@Gardens Eye ViewApril 4, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    No wonder that butterfly is attracted to that gorgeous orange flower.

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