Backyard visitor

I have noticed a lot of really nice butterflies this summer.  Perhaps it's the combination of daytime heat, cool nights and the rain we have had.

In my yard last evening, this female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is nearly perfect.  It's just missing a tiny part of its right tail.

 These photos taken with my iPhone.

Question Mark

Kenn Kaufman and Jim P. Brock wrote in their 2003 edition of Field Guide to Butterflies of North America, page 196:  "Wide-ranging and fairly common in woodland openings, stream sides, city parks, backyards, and quiz shows."  I love a tongue-in-cheek comment like that final little punch line. 

It seems a long time since I have taken a photo of a butterfly and even longer yet photos that are this clear.  There were scant open wing opportunities with this butterfly, but it's the closed wing shot that reveals the distinguishing field mark.

Additionally Kaufman and Brock write, "Below hindwing ... always with centered silvery comma and adjacent dot forming a question mark." Reminded me of the tip of the crescent moon pointing toward Venus in the clear dawn sky.  

Downy Woodpecker

On one of the very hot days last week I went to Lake Erie Metropark to look for dragonflies.  I didn't find a single dragonfly or damselfly, but I did see this charming Downy Woodpecker and took a series of photos.  Its plumage appears mature.  But the bird's poses and behavior remind me of a fledgling.  The bird is just too cute.  I've never really seen an adult downy behave this way.