My swallowtail caterpillar before becoming a beautiful butterfly. They just love parsley as there were two on this plant. I took this shot on July 23, 2017! Even though I only have a container garden this year I still can enjoy the beauty of nature. Downsizing from an acre to containers was hard but not quite so bad once I saw these little guys. Yes, they are always welcome in any garden I might have.
Linking to Fiesta Friday and Angie’s beautiful swallowtail butterfly. I just had to share this picture with everyone!
How exciting – I just saw a “baby” caterpillar, only an 1-inch long. The other two big ones are gone, probably 2-inches or more, and happy to be flying around all of the beautiful flowers in the area. Actually, the larva (caterpillar) is the second stage, the third stage is the pupa where they form themselves into a chrysalis and then they become butterflies!!! Note the color differences. This picture below was taken Aug. 4, 2017! Oops – actually it was the lighting!
The picture below was taken Aug. 8, 2017 – this one is eating more and getting fatter. Soon will be heading into the pupa stage (if a bird doesn’t get him first).
Can you tell I am enjoying taking pictures of my caterpillars. This was taken on Aug. 9, 2017.
This makes my heart happy! I once had some parsley in a pot while living in Virginia Beach. When I discovered I had these in my parsley, it made living in the city not so bad for a moment. What a great summer visitor! <3
I’m happy too Debbie! Never thought I would miss these guys – they are quite colorful and blend in so well with the parsley.
Now they actually look pretty to me 😄 Thanks for posting this! And your potted garden is beautiful 😍
They are beautiful caterpillars and a nice surprise – how they managed to find my parsley plant 🙂 For now I just have a bunch of herbs – I really need those for cooking 🙂
I posted a couple more pictures – I have been looking for a pupa – not easy to find 🙂
I’ve seen the pupa. And when it’s starting to pupate, you’d think it’s dying. At least that’s what I thought 😂 It stopped moving and curled itself into the shape of a comma. But then it changed into a beautiful chrysalis. It’s amazing!
Judi, this makes my heart sing too. So glad that you are still able to garden and bring nature to you since you’ve downsized. What a beauty! I love your potted plants too.
Thanks – gardening on a small scale Loretta. In a way it is nice as the Association work crew does everything. Couldn’t do without some herbs but miss others like dill, oregano, etc.
That is a lovely picture. Now I know what to look for, I hope to find one. I have noticed more butterflies around this year than in the previous few, so it is time I learn to identify them at different stages.
Thanks Hilda – you have to look closely for them as they do blend in quite well. I also noticed that with the heat of the day they go down into the plant and are even harder to find. They are stunning!!!
That is the beauty of growing your own herbs 🙂 😉
For sure! That is one reason I grow them so beautiful caterpillars such as the swallowtail can grow, thrive and become beautiful butterflies 🙂
So nice – now we get to see the full cycle!! 🙂
Half of the cycle – first comes the eggs, then the caterpillars, then the pupa and lastly they become beautiful butterflies 🙂
Ah, yes. So true! 🙂
That colour change is amazing! Happy Fiesta & thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures with us 🙂
Thank you – it’s always fun to capture a great shot of nature 🙂
I couldn’t agree more 🙂
That is one gorgeous caterpillar! I have some serious garden envy now, you have done such a fabulous job with your plants. Happy Fiesta Friday Judi!
Thanks so much – I look for the good and the bad critters that come to visit. This caterpillar is so pretty I wouldn’t think of removing it as hopefully one day it will become a beautiful butterfly like in Angie’s picture.
You have captured the caterpillar in its full glory. He has the right to enjoy some of your parsley. 😊😊😊
Thanks so much – great comment! They are always welcome to “chomp” on my parsley 🙂
Love the photos Judi, and that caterpillar!