Tag Archives: Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly

California Buckeye aka California Horse Chestnut

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The nearby Tassajara Creek offers wonderful photo opportunities and while I was out trying some scenic outdoor pics I came across this bloom. It reminded me of the Horse Chestnuts I had seen in the UK only the flowers were packed much closer on the stalk. After some research I found out that it is Aesculus Californica, California Buckeye aka California Chestnut. The fruits are poisonous, and they were used as fish poison by the Pomo, Yana, Yokut and Luiseno peoples (Kroeber, 1925). Nifty fishing method…As I walked away from the tree, a Swallowtail Butterfly also made it’s appearance and I was fortunate enough to get a shot of it.

Photo 1: Buckeye in Bloom

Buckeye 3 low res

 

Photo 2: California Horse Chestnut

Buckeye 2 low res

Photo 3: British Horse Chestnut White

Horse Chestnut 2 low res

Photo 4: British Horse Chestnut Pink

Red Horse Chestnut 2 low res

 

Photo 5: Buckeye along the Creek

Buckeye low res

Photo 6: Butterfly on Buckeye

Buckeye and Butterfly low res

Photo 7: And another butterfly pic just for fun

Buckeye and Butterfly 2 low res

First Butterfly visitor in the garden

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The Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus), is a common Swallowtail Butterfly of western North America and today one paid a visit to our garden while my daughter and I were weeding. Fortunately my camera was close at hand as I had just taken some more photos of the roses. It moved rather quickly around the Abelia though so I was lucky to get a shot!

Photo 1: Western Tiger Swallowtail on Abelia

Butterfly Swallowtail 2 low res

Photo 2: Papilio rutulus on Abelia

Butterfly Swallowtail low res