Okay... these Black Swallowtail caterpillars don't have wings in this stage...


But... once they pupate... and eventually eclose...





...Black Swallowtail drying its wings


A Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar. They turn bright orange / yellow just before they pupate... cool little cats []


Another one of the very colorful female yellow form Eastern Tiger Swallowtails that have visited this summer...


I've seen more Buckeyes this summer than I have my entire life...great weather conditions for our six-legged friends!


The first Carolina Mantis I've seen around here in a long time...


It was a very efficient predator and found several "snacks" while I was sitting outside watching... fascinating


"Oblivious"


And a few hummingbird shots...
Ruttya fruticosa is the bloom

[tails]

Amazing shots. Some pretty interesting insects in your yard (if it is your yard I'm extremely jealous you get so many bugs).

Love the first one with all the caterpillars and that orange caterpillar is pretty amazing looking.

[Tamia]

WOW, a great series. I've never seen so many swallowtail caterpillars in one place before. They're all very interesting and beautiful photos. Thanks for showing them.

[Rnovo]

Very nicely done and spectacular.

[Bud]

Amazing shots. Some pretty interesting insects in your yard (if it is your yard I'm extremely jealous you get so many bugs).

Love the first one with all the caterpillars and that orange caterpillar is pretty amazing looking.

Thanks! Yep, they're all in my backyard.. it's been a really good summer to be a bug

The spicebush caterpillars are really cool. They start out green and turn either yellow or orange just before pupating into chrysalis form.

Here's another shot showing both "eyes"


Thanks again!

Bud

[Bud]

WOW, a great series. I've never seen so many swallowtail caterpillars in one place before. They're all very interesting and beautiful photos. Thanks for showing them.

Thanks! My yard has many butterfly host plants, and every summer I collect eggs and caterpillars to keep them from being devoured by predators and parasitic insects. So far this year, I've released over 100 butterflies... monarchs, and 3 diiferent species of swallowtails. I once read that the surviaval rate in nature from egg to butterfly is around 1%... my number is 97%, so I feel good about helping out Mother Nature. This year, the migrating monarch population was down by over 50% due to winter freezes in Mexico.

Thanks again for your comments!

Bud

[Bud]

Very nicely done and spectacular.

Thank you!

Bud

[dcmsox2004]

tell ya bud.. now THAT'S a garden !! beautiful shots.... stunning pentax colors and crisp... thanks for sharing... dave m

[civiletti]

The image of the caterpillars on the dill is very nice.

[Ash]

Sharp and detailed macros there Bud.
I've always loved your hummingbird captures.
Well done and thanks for sharing.

[Boris]

Excellent photography here...

[chezza]

I really enjoyed your images, fantastic macros, love the swallowtail ones.

[8540tomg]

Great series Bud

Tom G

[Bud]

tell ya bud.. now THAT'S a garden !! beautiful shots.... stunning pentax colors and crisp... thanks for sharing... dave m

Thanks! Gotta love those Pentax colors

The image of the caterpillars on the dill is very nice.

Thank you

Sharp and detailed macros there Bud.
I've always loved your hummingbird captures.
Well done and thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Ash!

[Bud]

Excellent photography here...

Thanks!

I really enjoyed your images, fantastic macros, love the swallowtail ones.

Thank you!

Great series Bud

Tom G

Thanks, tom!