Gotcha!

I've been trying and trying to get a photo of a large, brown swallowtail butterfly for ages. I see it wafting around, but it goes up high in a tree, over the fence or I don't have my camera. This afternoon, I finally got the money shot!

It's been so danged hot, I've been waiting until 6 PM or later to go out and walk. I peeped out the back and saw the temperature gauge was on 84 and decided to go earlier - I didn't plan on the outdoor sauna I stepped into. Geez, I was dripping by the time I got back to the house. The photos I got made it worth going out now instead of later.

Along the way , I got this shot of the Palamedes Swallowtail. It was resting on the privet hedge bushes in the shade - too hot for even butterflies to fly about!!

Isn't it absolutely gorgeous! Love that chocolaty brown color with the creamy yellow spots.

Then as I was almost back to the house, a silvery light caught my eye over by the hummingbird bush. It's just starting to put out blooms. I went over to investigate and there was this colorful Gulf Frilliary snacking on some nectar. They almost never unfurl their wings, but their undersides are just as spectacular as the top.

At least while editing the photos and putting up the post, it'll cool off even more and I can make a few more rounds of the yard. Who knows what else I might find?