On a bright summer afternoon, this tiger swallowtail butterfly is sipping from a zinnia flower. I guess it’s no secret how this butterfly got its name, with its distinctive black and yellow stripes. Fortunately it is nowhere near as fierce as a tiger, though it did flutter toward me a few times as I took this picture. Since they have no noses, butterflies smell and taste with their feet and antennae. Apparently this zinnia smelled good to three pairs of butterfly feet. Imagine if you could already taste your food when you pick it up. Stinky feet take on a whole new meaning in the lepidopteran world.
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