Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly "Nature Lesson For The Day" :)

Bud · 12:17 PM

Two years ago we dug up half of our back yard and planted a butterfly / hummingbird garden to attract... well, you get it. In the fall we had several tiny caterpillars that looked like poop which developed into really cool looking larvae, that pupated into several small chrysalides. We collected the chrysalides so that we could monitor them and keep the local dogs, cats and squirrels from turning them into a presumably nasty tasting snack. Apparently, they survived the sub-zero temps in our shed, and this morning, the first butterfly emerged.

I'll say it again... "NATURE IS SO COOL!!"

Shiny "poop" form (Panasonic FZ20)

Cool caterpillar form - There's a more scientific name... instar somethingerother

Chrysalis form

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly on Salvia Oppositiflora

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly on Lantana

Buddha Jones · 05-04-2007, 01:53 PM

You rock! Talk about subject preperation, that has to be the most involved ever. Good work and nice series.

photo_mom · 05-04-2007, 03:14 PM

Hi Bud!

Extraordinary series!

The caterpillar photo is surreal. I love them all, but that one is a standout!

**NaClH2O** · 05-04-2007, 07:18 PM

Great series Bud and like Tracy said that catapillar is simply awesome!
This sorta reminds me of the time I collected several praying mantis egg cases and left them in between my window and the storm window over winter. One spring day after school, I came home to find my room crawling with literally thousands of tiny praying mantids. My dad thought it was funny, but my mom wasn't quite thrilled. Weeks later we would still find one in an odd corner, under the kitchen sink, in the pantry, basement etc. My mom was still cursing me out over that 35 years later.

NaCl(BTW, they ate all the spiders in the basement)H2O

roscot · 05-04-2007, 07:35 PM

I normally do not comment on bug macros, they're not my cup of tea. But this is an extraordinary series.

Excellent work.

**Eaglerapids** · 05-04-2007, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by roscot

But this is an extraordinary series.

Excellent work.

I'll second that emotion, beautiful pictures.

Bud · 05-05-2007, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

You rock! Talk about subject preperation, that has to be the most involved ever. Good work and nice series.

Thanks, Buddah! I think I've always had a hidden desire to be a high school science teacher

Originally posted by photo_mom

Hi Bud!

Extraordinary series!

The caterpillar photo is surreal. I love them all, but that one is a standout!

Tracy - Thanks for looking and for the very nice comments. The summer bug, butterfly and bird season is my time of the year and, yes, those are some funky looking caterpillars. I hope to be able to share some 2007 shots of them as well.

Originally posted by NaClH2O

Great series Bud and like Tracy said that catapillar is simply awesome!
This sorta reminds me of the time I collected several praying mantis egg cases and left them in between my window and the storm window over winter. One spring day after school, I came home to find my room crawling with literally thousands of tiny praying mantids. My dad thought it was funny, but my mom wasn't quite thrilled. Weeks later we would still find one in an odd corner, under the kitchen sink, in the pantry, basement etc. My mom was still cursing me out over that 35 years later.

NaCl(BTW, they ate all the spiders in the basement)H2O

NaCl - (Can I call you Salty?) Sounds like our younger years were very similar. I had the same experience with mantid egg cases! In fact, we still use them as our #1 means of organic pest control in the garden. I start out every season with, at least, 10 egg cases and we have a couple thousand of them running around in the yard. Most of them devour each other, but they do a nice job with aphids and various other small isects as they mature.

Originally posted by roscot

I normally do not comment on bug macros, they're not my cup of tea. But this is an extraordinary series.

Excellent work.

Roscot - Thanks! I really appreciate the compliment.

Originally posted by Eaglerapids

I'll second that emotion, beautiful pictures.

Eaglerapids - Thank you!

Bud
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05-04-2007, 03:14 PM	#3
photo_mom Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 545	That's evidence of a LOT of patience! Hi Bud! Extraordinary series! The caterpillar photo is surreal. I love them all, but that one is a standout!

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05-04-2007, 01:53 PM	#2
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	You rock! Talk about subject preperation, that has to be the most involved ever. Good work and nice series.

05-04-2007, 07:18 PM	#4
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Great series Bud and like Tracy said that catapillar is simply awesome! This sorta reminds me of the time I collected several praying mantis egg cases and left them in between my window and the storm window over winter. One spring day after school, I came home to find my room crawling with literally thousands of tiny praying mantids. My dad thought it was funny, but my mom wasn't quite thrilled. Weeks later we would still find one in an odd corner, under the kitchen sink, in the pantry, basement etc. My mom was still cursing me out over that 35 years later. NaCl(BTW, they ate all the spiders in the basement)H2O

05-04-2007, 07:35 PM	#5
roscot Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Beach VA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,363	I normally do not comment on bug macros, they're not my cup of tea. But this is an extraordinary series. Excellent work.

05-04-2007, 08:57 PM	#6
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	Originally posted by roscot But this is an extraordinary series. Excellent work. I'll second that emotion, beautiful pictures.

05-05-2007, 06:34 PM	#7
Bud Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,699 Original Poster	Originally posted by Buddha Jones You rock! Talk about subject preperation, that has to be the most involved ever. Good work and nice series. Thanks, Buddah! I think I've always had a hidden desire to be a high school science teacher Originally posted by photo_mom Hi Bud! Extraordinary series! The caterpillar photo is surreal. I love them all, but that one is a standout! Tracy - Thanks for looking and for the very nice comments. The summer bug, butterfly and bird season is my time of the year and, yes, those are some funky looking caterpillars. I hope to be able to share some 2007 shots of them as well. Originally posted by NaClH2O Great series Bud and like Tracy said that catapillar is simply awesome! This sorta reminds me of the time I collected several praying mantis egg cases and left them in between my window and the storm window over winter. One spring day after school, I came home to find my room crawling with literally thousands of tiny praying mantids. My dad thought it was funny, but my mom wasn't quite thrilled. Weeks later we would still find one in an odd corner, under the kitchen sink, in the pantry, basement etc. My mom was still cursing me out over that 35 years later. NaCl(BTW, they ate all the spiders in the basement)H2O NaCl - (Can I call you Salty?) Sounds like our younger years were very similar. I had the same experience with mantid egg cases! In fact, we still use them as our #1 means of organic pest control in the garden. I start out every season with, at least, 10 egg cases and we have a couple thousand of them running around in the yard. Most of them devour each other, but they do a nice job with aphids and various other small isects as they mature. Originally posted by roscot I normally do not comment on bug macros, they're not my cup of tea. But this is an extraordinary series. Excellent work. Roscot - Thanks! I really appreciate the compliment. Originally posted by Eaglerapids I'll second that emotion, beautiful pictures. Eaglerapids - Thank you!