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# Black Swallowtail
- URL: https://www.soul-riot.com/black-swallowtail/
- Published: 2026-08-02T13:53:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-11T13:55:26.000Z
- Author: Elena Corriero
- Tags: Stories, Butterflies

The sunlight was already strong, and the white of the house was blinding. But I would not pass on the opportunity to try and photograph the large swallowtail that made her entrance around 10am or so.

Initially I stayed at a distance to avoid scaring her off, and hoped that the zoom would give me enough detail.

![Swallowtail with Echinacea July 29](https://bear-images.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/soulriot/swallowtail-with-echinacea-july-29.webp)

After a while, I started inching closer, hoping she would not mind.

![Swallowtail 8](https://bear-images.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/soulriot/swallowtail-8.webp)

![Swallowtail face July 29](https://bear-images.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/soulriot/swallowtail-face-july-29.webp)

There are many different types of swallowtail, but based on the information I've found, my model was in all likelihood a male Black Swallowtail, or Papilio Polyxenes. The males have more prominent yellow and orange markings, but less blue compared to the females. I hope he doesn't mind if I misgendered him.

![Swallowtail close-up July 29](https://bear-images.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/soulriot/swallowtail-close-up-july-29.webp)

The blue spots are iridescent, but they did not really come through in the photos. I do think, however, that he chose the white background for contrast. I gotta give it to him, it worked quite well.

![Swallowtail 1 July 29](https://bear-images.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/soulriot/swallowtail-1-july-29.webp)

Elena Corriero

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*Photos taken with OM5 mark ii & OM 14-150mm lens.*