1 of 12
![Swallowtail in Flight Swallowtail in Flight](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2055/download/WI2B02%7E1.jpg?cb=24a3592382484a3f45a2c257bc71aeb2&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
Swallowtail in Flight
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail in flight. Adults eat the nectar of flowers from a variety of plants.
2 of 12
![Bumblebee Bumblebee](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2056/download/WIB2B2%7E1.jpg?cb=251d8b3db334ff8238d5eac3fe2c9290&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
Bumblebee
A bumblebee has come in for a pleasing stop on Jacob's ladder in bloom.
3 of 12
![Monarch Monarch](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2057/download/WIC362%7E1.jpg?cb=851c6fd1117ea0576fa07308043ea5ab&w={width}&h={height})
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
![Tiger Swallowtail Tiger Swallowtail](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2058/download/WIDD5A%7E1.jpg?cb=671820126e02df491b0a8a8f94b72495&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
Tiger Swallowtail
The eastern tiger swallowtail also has an affinity for buddleia (butterfly bush).
5 of 12
![Spiderwort Spiderwort](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2059/download/WIILDF%7E1.jpg?cb=c4ff0e96a8bae26a64ba7f09256195e7&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
Spiderwort
Spiderwort and friend
6 of 12
![Pickerelweed Pickerelweed](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2060/download/WIILDF%7E2.jpg?cb=d841c10f25a9d6673f8ac9011b8a8489&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
Pickerelweed
Pickerelweed attracts a silver-spotted skipper, who love blue, red, pink and purple varieties.
7 of 12
![Bumblebee Hovers Bumblebee Hovers](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2061/download/WIILDF%7E3.jpg?cb=e3153b47cc7444338a09b0b81b699860&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
Bumblebee Hovers
A bumblebee hovers near goldenrod.
8 of 12
![Carpenter Bee Carpenter Bee](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2062/download/WIILDF%7E4.jpg?cb=cbc4dec94ec71c6e2ac965b1c4e5ef75&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
Carpenter Bee
A male eastern carpenter bee pauses on Oconee Bell.
9 of 12
![12-Spotted Skimmer 12-Spotted Skimmer](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2063/download/WILDFL%7E1.jpg?cb=f1f75884d4b1f781a24bcb18eadb0722&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
12-Spotted Skimmer
A 12-spotted skimmer dragonfly pauses momentarily on an aster seed head.
10 of 12
![Hummingbird Hummingbird](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2064/download/WILDFL%7E2.jpg?cb=3e210ce7295ee977bf61b6c4b28491c0&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
Hummingbird
A male ruby-throated hummingbird browses nectar from a purple butterfly bush.
11 of 12
![WILDFL~3.jpg WILDFL~3.jpg](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2065/download/WILDFL%7E3.jpg?cb=0a747cfc3c94ffe48da6898d65e1aa3e&w={width}&h={height})
Rob Travis
12 of 12
![WILDFL~4.jpg WILDFL~4.jpg](https://blueridgecountry.com/downloads/2066/download/WILDFL%7E4.jpg?cb=0a747cfc3c94ffe48da6898d65e1aa3e&w={width}&h={height})
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.”