Okay, I've eaten so I have just enough energy to type and click. I was working in the garden today moving some bromeliads. It was so hot outside and it's so humid and I don't know why I think it's not going to affect me. I still have more work to do, but that can wait a few days until I recover. In the meantime, let's get caught up on some pictures!
I saw the hummingbird on the firebush today, but it doesn't pose for pictures like the Zebra Longwings do.
Not a butterfly, but there are a LOT of dragonflies this year. And I like the blue ones the best.
Two of my American Ladies came out on the same night. The third chrysalis is dark but I don't think it's going to come out. Anyway, I put them in the bathroom where it's dark to spend the night. I was sure they'd fly off as soon as I opened the lid so this is a picture of the captives.
But when I opened the lid, one lingered for a moment! Then, it posed on one of my bromeliads. I like the picture on the cheesecloth because I think the colors look better in the shade.
I still have Gulf Frits everywhere.
Reason why - check the evidence in my hand. The three white ones are Zebra Longwings, but I found all these cats on my three tiny Passiflora lutea plants that I transplanted a few weeks ago. They only have five or six leaves each! But don't worry, I moved everyone over to the Passiflora 'Lavender Lady'. I saw two of the Zebra cats today and everyone is munching away. More on that in a bit.
One of my Orange-Barred Sulphurs built his chrysalis on another chrysalis. It happens sometimes.
Problem is, the top one had a bit of trouble getting out of the chrysalis. Luckily, I was about to go to bed and did a final caterpillar check and saw it emerging. His wings eventually mostly straightened out. I took him outside and he flew a little ways and later in the day he was gone. I'm assuming he flew even further away.
I think I may have found a Cloudless Sulphur amongst all the Orange-Barreds. But with all these cats eating flowers and changing colors, I'm not so sure of myself anymore. I even Googled it and other people are equally confused.
And speaking of flowers and Sulphur cats - what have we all learned when searching for them? That's right, check the flowers and buds if there are any. And since they can get tall, look up!
From the size and the current prevalence of the species, I'd say this is an Orange-Barred Sulphur. But I say we just call him a biggun' for now. Look at him compared to my finger!
So I saw one of my Zebra Longwing cats munching alongside a Gulf Frit cat and for some reason, "Ebony and Ivory" started playing in my head.
I took this picture of a Zebra Longwing head capsule to show you guys the spots on it, but Mom says it's "adorable".
And the adult version was nectaring on the Duranta today.
My Duskywings are still hanging around.
Spicebush on the Jatropha! I even got a shot of it flying away.
Skipper in the backyard.
Buckeye in the front yard.
A Cloudless Sulphur actually let me get a photo! The power of the Jatropha is strong.
My Spicebush cats are being worrisome. Of the six or so that have hatched, only one is still alive. The other eggs are changing colors but taking their sweet time hatching. As for the big ones, they are getting far too cozy with each other. It's bizarre.
My first Palamedes chrysalis is starting to turn a little dark. The other one detached through an accident that was entirely my fault. I think it will be fine, but I took the opportunity to take pictures of it in case you wondered what their chrysalis looked like.
