Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) on Dunn's Lobelia
7/15/09
Tattered Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) butterfly working new flowers of native Dunn`s Lobelia (Lobelia dunnii var. serrata) - now included in the Bellflower (Campanulaceae) family.
The plant is uncommon, but only because it's habitat is so uncommon - there aren't many flowing streams in midsummer in this drought year. I got this photo where Lewis Creek enters (and becomes, for a bit) the Santa Ynez River. (Paradise, Santa Ynez River, 15 July 2009)