Summertime and outdoor dining go together and Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) was an attractive menu option this afternoon in the front side garden.
American painted lady (Vanessa virginiensis) has been around a few times in previous years.
American painted lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
American painted lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
This is the first time I have noticed the other butterfly, which I believe is Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus). Both were difficult to photograph as they flitted from one flower to the next and darted away when I got too near. The coneflower’s appeal soon drew them back, allowing me to get a bit closer.
Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus)
pbmGarden 
Yes! Coneflowers are a favorite of many–pollinators and gardeners.
Coneflowers are flourishing this year. I’m enjoying them as much as the insects.
You are doing great with the butterfly photography..Well done!
Thanks. The trick is taking so many one or two makes the cut. Butterflies are seldom going to sit still.
Yes and there’s the wings…
I’d say you did a very good job with these! We had an irruption of painted ladies last year, but I haven’t seen any this year yet. Several other species have visited though. Any day with butterflies is a good day. 🙂
So true Beth. Something magical about butterflies. How lucky to observe an irruption of painted ladies.
The Zebra butterfly is unlike anything i’ve ever seen. i love the pink and the black + white together 🙂
Hi Jess, the colors are striking , aren’t they? First time I’ve seen this butterfly too. But apparently they’re frequently sighted here.
Wow! Great photos. The Zebra swallowtail is so beautiful and you captured it so perfectly.
Thanks Pris. I was excited to see my first zebra swallowtail and confirmed the ID on iNaturalist.
I’m seeing some different butterflies too this year. I need to get the other camera out to have a chance of capturing them, I had trouble getting the flightless wasp in focus!!
That’s exciting Christina to also be seeing different butterflies. Your flightless wasp was amazing.
I agree that butterflies are hard to photograph. The zebra is beautiful with that stripe. Unfortunately, the deer ate off all the flowers on my Echinacea.
Deer love all the good stuff! We added a fence soon after moving to our current home; it’s the only thing that deters them.
The deer are in the front where we cannot put a fence, but the rabbits are in the back which is fenced. Can’t win!
Beautiful photos! I love echinacea, and it is lovely to see butterflies wedont get here.
Thanks Ali. Glad you enjoyed them. One was new to me also.
Lovely! Butterflies here are still in relatively short supply. I was late in getting my zinnia seeds planted I guess.
Kris, you are ahead of me. I bought zinnias ages ago and misplaced the seed packets. Must get some planted ASAP.
They certainly dress up fancily to go out.
They do. Nice red accents.
What a beautiful Swallowtail! I hope to spot one this year but they are rare here. 🙂
Hope you will have a Swallowtail visitor. Someone pointed out to me this one depends on having a paw paw tree nearby. I don’t know of one but they are the only host plant for this type is Swallowtail.
Oh, I love that Zebra Swallowtail! I have never seen one.
Was lucky to spot this one.