Tiger swallowtail on butterfly bush

Butterfly bush earns its name honestly — plant one and eastern tiger swallowtails show up almost on schedule. This one worked methodically across a single flower cluster, proboscis uncoiled and reaching deep into each tiny bloom in turn.

Why it matters

Eastern tiger swallowtails are one of the most widespread and recognizable butterflies in the eastern U.S., and males like this one — solid yellow with black tiger stripes — are easy to tell from females, which often show a dark color form instead.

Getting the shot

Backyard butterfly bushes are a reliable, repeatable setup: pick a bloom, wait, and a swallowtail will eventually land close enough for a clean macro-range shot. The magenta flower cluster gave enough color contrast that the yellow wings needed no extra help standing out.