A good old Aussie Butterfly

Danielle Corrie

Today on Australia Day I take a short drive to a local bushland where I like to escape and appreciate nature. As I meander along the pathway looking at all the native Aussie plants, the greenery vegetation and taking in the sounds of the rainbow lorikeets high up in the gum trees, a black butterfly with white tipped wings and a dot of red at its rear captivates my attention. It lands close by on a fern leaf. I take a step closer. The butterfly flies further away. However, for a split minute, it stays still allowing me to take a photo before flying high up in the gum trees. This butterfly is a male Australian Butterfly better known as the Orchard Citrus Swallowtail Butterfly (papilio aegeus).

I know Australia Day may not be celebrated by all. For me however, looking outside to see the Aussie Gum trees, hearing the carolling magpies, seeing this beautiful butterfly and ending off with the ever-reliable squawking sulphur crested cockatoos just before sunset to come and g'day, I give thanks for seeing all these wonderful flora and fauna.