The Giant Swallowtail butterfly is one of North America's largest and most spectacular butterflies, C.Paxton photo and copyright.

At five inches across, the Giant Swallowtail butterfly is one of North America’s largest and most spectacular butterflies, here photographed near Farmerville in Northeast Louisiana. Panasonic Lumix GX8 with Lumix G 100-300 mm zoom C.Paxton photo and copyright.

This morning I was thrilled to get some pictures of a Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). It was bright overcast, so the UV light wasn’t its normal strength and this fine insect was happily resting as I approached and sent it fluttering away like a small bird. I pursued it for about 15 minutes, it’s startle distance is about 25 ft so I almost despaired of getting close enough for a good shot.

Giant Swallowtail at rest in the herb layer at Crawfish Springs. C.Paxton image and copyright.

Giant Swallowtail at rest in the herb layer at Crawfish Springs. C.Paxton image and copyright.

On previous days it escaped me, today I was lucky. There is a Prickly Ash nearby, that primitive citrus tree is a food plant for this magnificent insect’s larvae.