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Giant Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes
The Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) is widespread across much of the United States except for parts of the far west and north. It ranges south all the way to South America. The first images was taken in June, 2003, in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender. The next shot was taken in October, 2003, with the same equipment on the King Ranch, Kleberg Co., Texas.
The Giant Swallowtail shown here was at White Rock Lake in Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas in August 2007, and was shot with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The Giant Swallowtails in the next 2 shots were at Santa Ana N.W.R., Hidalgo Co., Texas, in October, 2008. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and Canon 580 flash.
The next 11 shots of Giant Swallowtails were taken in Victoria Co., Texas, in November, 2009, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash. While foraging at a flower, the wings of this species are in constant motion, so it is quite difficult to avoid blur in the wing tips of any such image.
The pair of Giant Swallowtails shown here were in copula.
Giant Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes
Indian Creek
Jasper Co., Texas
24 March 2013
Giant Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes
Rancho Primavera,
near El Tuito, Jalisco,
Mexico
11 April 2014