Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

If I had Wings

| Flower Roberts

If I had wings I would want them to be sturdy and small

not big and showy.

Spicebush Swallowtail?

I do not want to be defined by my wings.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail/ Papilio polyxenes asterius

I want to be known for my flying.

“Common Clearwing”/ Hemaris thysbe

I need wings I can count on in a storm.

Not delicate colorful things that keep me grounded.

My wings need strength, with strong ribs and veins.

So that I can fly when I need to fly.

I want some rainy-day wings to lift me up and out to a new place.

Hummingbird Moth on Verbena bonariensis

I do not wish for beautiful wings, I need useful wings.

FLOW

Living Up to its Name

| Flower Roberts

My butterfly bush was as busy as an airport yesterday.

This is a Black Knight Buddleia with deep purple blooms.

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It was covered by dozens of butterflies yesterday evening.

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Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Black Knight Buddleia

Along with the various types of butterflies were several Hummingbird Clearwing moths.

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Hummingbird Clearwing Moth/ Hemaris thysbe

and a lone MONARCH!

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I was so glad to have my camera. This is the first Monarch butterfly I have seen this year.

I love watching all the fliers sharing the flowers.

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Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Silver-Spotted Skipper

Flow