Caterpillalooza!

     Scroll down a little, to the photos of the Monarch laying eggs on the milkweed flower buds. For days, we tried to find the eggs within, but it was impossible. And then yesterday, while scanning some massive image blowups, we spotted a shadow. Perhaps??? With better light, we returned to the spot and snapped away from a promising angle. Here's the shot. Can you find the tiny Monarch larva?

Let's zoom in on the shot above. Look who is there.

     Hello Gorgeous!
​     Searching on leaves around the edges of the milkweed patch, Stephanie and I were able to find at least 8 other first instar caterpillers. They are so tiny that if you gathered them all together they could sit comfortably on a dime. Here are a couple other images, first the full frame, and then the detail, so that you can get a sense of just how tiny these little angels are. 

And once again, a detail of the image above. 

And to round out caterpillalooza, here are two more of the eight, including the full sequence of the larva hatched from the first egg found, the one we saw being laid. 

Below is the sequence of one individual: 1) Egg laid; 2) Egg found; 3) Larva hatches;  4) A detail of the larva, first instar (of five) of the Monarch caterpillar.   

     For all of you Elvis Parsley fans, he grows and grows, almost before your eyes. Our dear friend Pam went home and checked her own parsley after visiting us, and found a caterpillar as well. Oops, make that two! Be on the lookout!

        On the larger scale of things,  we have never had more butterflies in the garden at one time as we have are having now. At any one time, there might be a dozen Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, five spicebushes, six silver spotted skippers, pearl crescents and checkerspots, and the occasional orange sulphur (below) and cabbage white. Diversity is down, but the numbers of those that arrive are up.
​       And the Joe Pye Weed is just opening up! 

We have a feeling August may be amazing. Stay well, everyone, and visit us often!