1 of 12
Rob Travis
Swallowtail in Flight
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail in flight. Adults eat the nectar of flowers from a variety of plants.
2 of 12
Rob Travis
Bumblebee
A bumblebee has come in for a pleasing stop on Jacob's ladder in bloom.
3 of 12
Rob Travis
Monarch
A male monarch (note the two dots on either side of the body which the females don't have) sips nectar from buddleia.
4 of 12
Rob Travis
Tiger Swallowtail
The eastern tiger swallowtail also has an affinity for buddleia (butterfly bush).
5 of 12
Rob Travis
Spiderwort
Spiderwort and friend
6 of 12
Rob Travis
Pickerelweed
Pickerelweed attracts a silver-spotted skipper, who love blue, red, pink and purple varieties.
7 of 12
Rob Travis
Bumblebee Hovers
A bumblebee hovers near goldenrod.
8 of 12
Rob Travis
Carpenter Bee
A male eastern carpenter bee pauses on Oconee Bell.
9 of 12
Rob Travis
12-Spotted Skimmer
A 12-spotted skimmer dragonfly pauses momentarily on an aster seed head.
10 of 12
Rob Travis
Hummingbird
A male ruby-throated hummingbird browses nectar from a purple butterfly bush.
11 of 12
Rob Travis
12 of 12
Rob Travis
Rob Travis on the opening-page photo: “I was composing this yellow-on-blue combo and great texture when a bee mimic hoverfly came by to add perfect color.”
Travis: “Capturing fast-moving flying insects requires patience as well as skill. I noticed this dragonfly sometimes went to this perch, so I waited there a while to see if it came by again.”
Travis: “Composition plays a big part in flower/insect photography. Sometimes, I take many shots to get the best image, always trying to capture the action of the visitor and the beauty of the host.”