Golden Flight

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

The Owen Sound Field Naturalists Collection, #11

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is Ontario's largest butterfly, with its bold yellow-and-black-striped wings and vivid blue and orange tail spots making it one of the most instantly recognizable and breathtakingly beautiful insects in the province. A familiar and beloved presence in gardens, woodland edges, and meadows across Grey and Bruce Counties from late May through September, the Tiger Swallowtail is a powerful and agile flyer whose dramatic wingspan and striking colouration never fail to stop observers in their tracks. While not currently listed as a species at risk in Ontario, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail depends on healthy deciduous forests and diverse wildflower meadows, whose continued loss to development and agricultural intensification poses a quiet but persistent threat to pollinator communities across the region. The sight of a Tiger Swallowtail suspended in flight before a sea of summer sunflowers felt like I was capturing August in paint.

Reference photography for inspiration was kindly provided by Marsha Courtney, thank you!

✨ 15% will be donated to conservation from all OSFN Collection original paintings ✨

In a collaboration to highlight the enjoyment of our backyard wildlife here in Ontario, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and signature member of Artists for Conservation, Sarah McComb Turbitt, created a challenge to paint as many local species as she can during March 2026. 15% of original artworks, 35% of limited-edition prints, and 50% of artwork cards will be donated to OSFN. The Owen Sound Field Naturalists promotes and fosters learning about nature through their ongoing programs and sponsorships. They support a wide variety of activities, including a Young Naturalists Program, stewardship of many natural heritage properties in Grey Bruce Counties, interpretive signage, presentations by knowledgeable speakers and outdoor excursions with experienced leaders.

All original artwork is hand-signed by Sarah McComb-Turbitt and includes a certificate of authenticity and white cotton gloves for handling the painting upon delivery.