Canadian Tiger Swallowtail

On our way to Edmonton several weeks ago, we made a bit of side trip to Dunster, British Columbia to see the Mountain Lady's Slippers blooming there. After photographing the orchids we went on to a turnout by the river and were delighted to find a group of swallowtails resting or feeding in a muddy area along the river bank.

There were about eight of them and they were all crowded in the same area, their wings overlapping. Someone suggested that they were feeding on some mineral in the soil, which is possible, since they allowed us to get very close. Only when my wife's shadow fell on them did they fly away. This shot was taken after they had flown when one of them relanded on the surrounding vegetation.

I believe that this is the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio canadensis, due to its geographic location, but perhaps someone knows better than I. Other pictures of it and of our trip can be seen at: ronaldhanko-orchidhunter.blogspot.com/2010/07/british-col....