It was a joy! A total joy to arrive at Big Bend Wildlife Management Area’s Spring Creek Unit, and be surrounded by a ballet troupe. The dancers? They were Palamedes swallowtail butterflies, all earnest to find nectar. These thistles were the clear choice for sipping nectar.

There were worn ones, bird-struck ones, and butterflies that were missing a “tail.” Most were wary of me, and took off when I came within 15 feet. I was captivated by these butterflies. They are big, graceful fliers, able to gently move their wings, and be 30 feet away in an instant.

A photograph of one. I really, really wanted a fine photograph of one. “Pop, pop, pop, pop,” went the camera, using my Fuji Velvia fine grain slide film with an ASA of 50.

Males and females are similar, leaving us guessing the gender of this particular butterfly. It is indeed a Southern butterfly. It’s a very classy, very large southern butterfly and good company to be with.

Jeff