What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday, August 10th

Today, August 11th

And In Between...

          They descended out of the flowers to hang under the leaves below, preparing to molt, transitioning to the next instar,  the third of five. They prepare with their front feet dangling in air, motionless, before somehow pushing their old suit of cloths off, then turning around and eating it. 

                In the photo above, it has just emerged, its hind feet still tangled and its antennae still plastered down on its head. After some eating (of course!), they ran back up to the milkweed flowers to continue their merry munching up there. 
        Meanwhile, we were visiting by the relatively rare Red-Spotted Purple, lighting on the sculptural metal butterfly that Gretchen gave us, and a female Black Swallowtail, descending near the hose from Ace hardware.  Maybe we will get another chance at one of their brood. 

          And since we always like rooting for the little guy, here is the delightfully tiny Pearl Crescent, lover of coneflower and black-eyed Susan.