I’ve always thought of butterflies as easy-going creatures, flitting and fluttering here and there in a carefree sort of existence. Apparently, I was wrong. There are butterflies with attitude.
I was keeping vigil over my hummingbird studio set up when I was photo-bombed by a male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Normally, I discourage my kids from photo-bombing, but traffic at the feeder had been slow, and I was happy to have a photogenic subject. So I adjusted my camera settings and started tracking the butterfly around the blooms.
However, hummingbirds are notoriously territorial, and when one swooped down to reclaim the feeder area, I thought that the swallowtail would be making tracks immediately. After all, the hummingbird has a sharp beak and claws, and the butterfly just has, well, . . .
. . . as it turns out, gumption, and a lot of it.
The butterfly just flapped persistently, refusing to give way, until the disgruntled hummingbird sped off in a huff. Swallowtail 1, hummingbird 0.
The butterfly stuck around for some victory photos for the local paper.
My bird-loving son came home, and I told him the story. Although he is normally fond of most wildlife, he was indignant and ready to run the butterfly off the property, when a hummingbird appeared for a rematch.
There were a few rounds, and the swallowtail didn’t give up easily, but eventually, we had a new champion. Here she is doing her “Winged Victory” pose.
You can see she’s blowing raspberries at her vanquished opponent.
Anyone have any ideas on what a hummingbird would say when talking smack?
“Is that the best you’ve got? I need a bat to whomp on!”
Ah-mazing photos, Nancy. Wow, the detail on the wings just floors me. I could stare at it for hours.