Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Butterfly exchanging fluids

While taking photos at Emerts Cove covered bridge in TN, I was lured away by a Pipeline Swallowtail Butterfly. It landed on the bank of the river and began to drink fluid from the moist soil. while simultaneously expelling excess water. I captured this shot, and learned a new fact about butterfly digestion.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2016
Date Uploaded: 11.2016
Photo Location: Pittman Center, Tennessee, United States of America
Copyright: © Christopher Melchior