I started to prune Vinoland's Syrah vines yesterday afternoon, but rain stopped play! Today, when I finally made it out into the vineyard, after my weekly phone call to Blighty, I was joined in the Syrah by a Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor). This beautiful butterfly fluttered from the vine on to my sleeve and then proceeded to get quite comfortable on my hand, then a vine, as I took his photograph. Most likely docile because of the 31 degree temps this morning, he was quite content to rest on my thumb, in the sunshine, until I got bored and unceremoniously dumped him on a stray daffodil - a Vinogirl has to prune!
7 comments:
The butterfly is a wonderful sight, Vinogirl.
Almost warm here in the UK !
Vinogirl....Did you know the original 'butterfly'...was the Brimstone...so called because,well....it's the colour of butter!!
Villager: I love, in England, when we get that distinct, but still tiny, change in the air.
LR: Thanks, I love etymology.
Vinogirl, it was a butterfly that got me to buy my first camera in 1971, both a pleasure and a curse ($$$$).
Good job,
Dennis
NHwineman: Just ordered myself a new camera...I know what you mean :)
What a stunning swallowtail, and lovely photo. I love how you capture the gradations of color. Swallowtails are the reason fennel is always one of the first plants I will set out when I move into a new place. My fennel is thriving already this year, and I've already seen a swallowtail butterfly here, so spring seems to have sprung. Your photos are one of the reasons that your blog is one of the few I eke out time for. Thank you for the inspiring images!
Phlegmmy, I did not know that about fennel...thanks for the tip!
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