Thursday, September 2, 2010

Metamorphosis

The steamy month of August brought many splendid caterpillar and butterfly sightings. Below are several of the beauties I was fortunate to catch a glimpse of.

~ I welcome identification assistance ~

An exquisite Monarch savors one of many golden blooms

 
A Brown Hooded Owlet Caterpillar works its way down a plant stalk


The lovely pattern of a Buckeye Butterfly is most pleasing to view


Distinctive eyespots are present to disguise the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar so it looks like a snake to its predators


The caterpillar in the previous picture will undergo a metamorphosis and turn into a beauty like this


I happened upon this Burnet Caterpillar as it was shedding a thin layer of skin


Four pretty Pearl Crescent Butterflies dance atop Butterfly Weed


Newly hatched larva is camouflaged to look like bird droppings, which in turn brings little interest from predators


I returned four days later to find the brown and white larva (previous photo) had matured into this vibrant Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar


A striking Eastern Black Swallowtail explores leafy ground cover


An Acraea Moth Caterpillar dines on an Ironweed leaf


This is where it all begins ... with the egg

18 comments:

JRandSue said...

My God,what stunning Images.Love the Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar with it's cute looking face.
Thanks for showing this is a real treat,infact lots of treats in one showing.
This has made my day.
John.

Birding is Fun! said...

Awesome! I enjoyed all of those photos.

PoetessWug said...

Fabulous to see all the stages so beautifully photographed!

Cathy Bueti said...

Wow! These are awesome!! Beautiful!! My fav is the one with the four butterflies! I am amazed at this shot...you must be fast with that camera! Great work! :)

Dawn Fine said...

Wowee Zoweee photos!

cindyzlogic said...

Julie, your photo series is outstanding! I learned so much, too!! Your butterfly photos are beauties!

Veronica said...

GORGEOUS!!! WOW!!

Patricia/Trisketta said...

Julie, I don't know how you do it but you manage to inject even more color and enchantment into the already sublime! FANTASTIC:)

Scott said...

A gorgeous collection of photos. Wunnerful.

Kenny said...

Nice Julie! Such great shots. Love the colors on the Brown-hooded caterpillar.

Echo said...

Fantastic pics and info. Really enjoyed

Kerri Farley said...

These are amazing my friend! I am in such awe of your talent! Super Super Super!

Anonymous said...

WOW...Incredible shots Julie!! I loved seeing the eyes and markings of the caterpillars...you have amazing talent!!

Bill S. said...

Stunning photos. What raw talent you have. Simply beautiful.

FAB said...

Extraordinary macros Julia. A feast for my eyes. FAB.

Anonymous said...

Your photos are stunning! The rich details you capture, are amazing! I so enjoy viewing your work--lovely!

Joanna Durczok said...

Wonderful, sharp and ideal works. I love your compositions, they are never boring, there is always something different from stereotypes in your photos.

Mark Rios said...

Your photos are stunning! The rich details you capture, are amazing! I so enjoy viewing your work--lovely!