beauty

I finally got a photo of the dark butterfly that's been hanging around my Cosmos and Tithonia. After a closer look I was able to compare it to other pictures and I think I've identified it as a black swallowtail. It sure is beautiful.

Here's a shot of the wings folded

and another caught in mid-flap.

We also saw the hummingbird yesterday, hovering amongst the Cosmos that grow where my zucchini were pulled out. Still not a chance to use the camera, but both my daughter and I froze in wonder to watch him until he (or she?) flew away over the nextdoor house.