Observation date: August 19, 2014
Submitted by: dallison
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I spotted this butterfly nectaring in a large patch of Joe Pye. It was a large yellow and black swallowtail but obviously not a tiger or black swallowtail. I have experience seeing giants in other locations and the markings, yellow body when wings were closed and constant fluttering behavior as it was nectaring confirmed for me my initial feeling that it was a Giant Swallowtail, which was a total surprise and completely unexpected but I am totally sure of the ID. I did try after I checked and double checked with binocs to get some photos but it was at a distance and shooting into the sun so the photos are very bad. If you need to have a look at the pics I will send them as I think there is enough there to confirm my ID. You will need to zoom in to enlarge it so you can see the butterfly and the markings as well as the body color, sorry the pics are so horrible but it was the best I could do shooting into sun in the evening, from a substantial distance, a long lens and with a constantly fluttering subject. Hopefully there is enough there to verify the ID. I know this is a rare location for this species so I am including the photos for your confirmation, not because I am proud of the pics!!!!
Status: Resident
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: August 21, 2014
Coordinator notes: I almost dismissed these pictures. It is a good job that I magnified them, then the swallowtail became clear, if small. But there is no doubt it is a Giant. We are seeing them regularly here (Ottawa, Ont.) right now; I saw one this morning circling over a beaver pond, and nectaring on Purple Loosestrife. Ross Layberry
