A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Papilio machaon
This beautiful Old World Swallowtail was encountered at the very top of its altitude range. This species can be found in alpine meadows and hillsides, and males practice 'hilltopping', where they congrate near summits to compete for passing females. This specimen, in good shape for late summer, was spotted alone. After warming up briefly it fast disappeared with the powerful flight typical of the species.
Short grass with rocks and gravel, alpine level alt. 2200 m ASL.
Wingspan up to 90 mm. Protected in several countries.
Spotted on Sep 14, 2014
Submitted on Sep 17, 2014
16 Comments
Thank you Nick!
Great shot, it really stands out on that background too!
Thanks Jim! That one made it easy by being still till it warmed up... they're usually restless!
I have chased many swallowtails to get a shot...you make it look easy, Daniele.
Thanks Prashasti!
Nice capture !
Thanks Dan!
Wow! Great spot!
Thanks Charlie! I guess it really stands out against the rocks. Yes, they're tricky to photograph when they're active. Here it was high (coolish) and cloudy and it wasn't moving much. Very shortly after this shot was taken the sun came out and within a few seconds it hard warmed up and was gone :-)
What a gorgeous species and so lucky to have spotted it , beautiful photograph...not easy to capture at times.... well done and thankyou for sharing.
Thank you Chamalka!
wow beautiful!
Thank you Dilan!
Colorful daniele.....!!
Thank you Dr. Sherpa!
Beautiful, Daniele!