More Nature Notes

It couldn't have been more than an hour after I posted pictures of our caterpillars this morning when Darren, who had been working out in the vegetable garden, came in to tell us that he had just seen several different varieties of butterflies fluttering about, darker than the little white ones who are frequent visitors to our backyard. "Really?!" I squealed. (Um, yeah. I'm pretty sure I squealed.) I dashed out to go investigate, but...nothing. I didn't see any butterflies, nor did I find any new caterpillars. Dejected, I came back inside, but a little while later we all went outside to play and it was then that we discovered the tiniest new caterpillars establishing themselves quite comfortably on our Parsley! I am just beyond thrilled. Black Swallowtail caterpillars! In our garden!

Another exciting observation we made today was that of this beautiful butterfly, which Darren found hiding on the leaf of a sunflower. After doing a bit of research, I think I've finally identified it as a Bordered Patch butterfly. We're hoping that we just might find some eggs when we check again tomorrow!

And finally, to add just one more last bit of excitement to our day, Darren called me out late this afternoon to his cactus garden, where he had been removing and relocating several plants. There, on our Spanish Broom, were the most fascinating caterpillars I think I've ever seen. These, too, required a bit of investigating, because neither of us had any idea what they were. The answer: Genista caterpillars. Aren't they amazing?