Hidden well

The polydamas swallowtail chrysalis, I think, is very unique. The color often times depends on where they create it, as they can either be green, or brown.

The first one is well hidden in my Bahama cassia tree, resembling the color of a leaf. The last few photos are residing  in my butterfly house and are brown, similar to the color of the branch.

It will be interesting to see how long before the butterflies emerge. The last batch overwintered, which was fascinating because I live in Southwest Florida where the temps usually do not turn too extreme.

The yellow beauty

This morning I spent quite a few hours in the garden with the company of the orange barred sulphur butterfly.

I have made it to the far section of the garden where my candlestick cassia plant is located, a favorite of the sulphur, with my stone pathway.

She kept fluttering in, flying high and low, close and far away from me. I lost count of how many eggs this sulphur left behind on its host plant.

The plant is already loaded with caterpillars of every instar.

Rain kissed garden

According to the local news, Southwest Florida is experiencing its greatest drought in 8 years!

It was such a welcome sound to hear the rain coming down this morning, kissing the garden. It did not come down long, but it was an awesome downpour. With the overcast sky, the ground hopefully will stay wet for a while, giving the roots time to soak up the much needed moisture.

Here’s just a few of the butterfly nectar plants.

Zinnia
Penta
Starry rosinweed
Fire bush

The orange-barred sulphur caterpillars were also active on my cassia tree. There are tons yet again munching away.

Happiness

I love walking out to the butterfly house and seeing new life. Its an instant smile.

The last orange barred sulphur emerged early this morning in the butterfly house.

This butterfly is one of abundance in the garden currently. I always spot multiple ones flying about, laying eggs, or sipping nectar. I have two of its host plants – the bahama cassia and candlestick cassia. They are planted on opposite corners of the garden and are thriving again, as I trimmed them both back. New growth is sprouting, mostly covered in eggs.

Egg bombing

I had countless rays of sunshine fluttering about the garden yesterday. There were multiple orange barred sulphur butterflies laying eggs at the same time on both my candlestick cassia and bahama cassia. It caught and kept my attention for a while.

They are almost impossible to photograph, these fast flyers, so it’s a thrill when I am able to capture a good photo!