Monarch butterflies and Milkweed

I have enjoyed visiting this small stand of milkweed this summer near the edge of the garden to see who might be dining.

A monarch butterfly feasts on milkweed nectar

Milkweed is the only plant the Monarch Butterflies use to breed and is the main source of food for their developing larvae.

Common milkweed with Monarch

Chasing Butterflies

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail female butterfly attracted to the milkweed plant.

Using it's proboscis, this butterfly drinks nectar from a milkweed flower.

These two Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies are swift fliers and didn't stay long.

This Pinepevine Swallowtail  on my butterfly bush proved difficult to capture a photo.