Platanthera ciliaris (Yellow Fringed orchid) pollinated by Battus philenor (Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly)
A few orchids I saw on a brief day trip to the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. These roadside orchids were literally covered with dust. A bit of rain would have been nice to wash them off...
This Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly visited a number of the orchid flowers while I was there, but it was so fast, that I was unable to get very good shots. I had to switch lenses from the macro lens I was using for close-ups to a wider angle lens for the butterfly.
Note the group yellow pollinia stuck t the butterfly's eyes. An interesting way that the orchid and butterfly have evolved to accomplish pollination.
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Taken on Sunday August 6, 2017
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Posted on Monday August 7, 2017
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