Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Stalking butterflies finally paid off this afternoon when I posted myself in one spot near the lantana and didn't move for ten minutes. The butterflies were flitting about, some quite near my head, but they did eventually start to settle. It was interesting to see that individual butterflies  seemed to keep coming back to the same flowers and would eventually light, opening and closing their wings. I think the two orange spots at the back indicate that this is a female.

I put a picture of the Pipeline swallowtail in extras. They have evolved to be able to ingest the toxic Dutchman's Pipeline plant without harm to themselves. This renders them toxic to their predators.

Fascinating stuff going on in the garden....