#area51

Well look at that! A giant swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes, the largest butterfly in North America. I’ve never even seen one before and today saw two. One at my house and one out at #Area51 (2+ miles away). A 747 of a butterfly, an albatross. This one has been through the wars and is missing most of its right hind wing and a significant chunk of the left. Still, graceful and very good and finding flowers to feed on. #insects

Spicebush swallowtails feeding on the flower buffet at #Area51. Edit: they are Black Swallowtails! Looking more closely, far more yellow spots in wing edge and they were acting very suspicious on the dill, a host plant for the caterpillars.

One of my favorite times at #Area51 is when the swallows show up. Usually at dusk, but apparently midday too. In the video you can hear car noise on the road, but barn swallows, grey cat birds, a common yellow throat, song sparrow and maybe goldfinches. Really need to get a bee/wasp person out here, too and a lepidopterist.