"Stay there until I get back!" I ran into the house as quickly as I could manage, grabbed the camera and started adjusting settings on my way back out through the kitchen door. Whatever this butterfly was, it certainly wasn't a Swallowtail. Had I ever seen one before? Possibly, but I couldn't recall the name. Fortunately, it was still enjoying the milkweed when I returned, but it was being very reluctant to open its wings for a portrait. However, that gave me the opportunity to observe two orange spots on the underside of the wings which, if you look carefully, can be seen through the semi-transparent forewing on the left in the image. The transparent nature of the wing is not due to worn scales as I initially assumed. It is typical of the Parnassians, in this case, Parnassius clodius. Fortune favoured me, and my visitor spread its wings before fluttering off to the woods. Yes, I had recorded the species once before in my yard, but it was still a thrill to see another one. My milkweed garden is paying bonuses!
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