I'll bet your garden has some as well.
MONSTER #1:
Hmmm, wonder who's inside this little pouch?
This is a camphor tree.
It's the caterpillar of the Spicebush swallowtail. It doesn't even hide most days since it looks so much like bird poop. No bird wants to bother investigating any closer. But, if it does...
Yes, dragons do exist. Here's one in my garden. This is what the Spicebush caterpillar looks like head on.
The adult Spicebush floated by as I was standing over the host plant! They love camphor trees and will visit any garden that has one.
MONSTER #2:
I think I'll name him SPIKE! Ouch!
I believe this is the caterpillar of the American Painted Lady, Vanessa virginiensis. This one is on a Helichrysum.
Jurassic park meets Tropical Texana. Weird new fronds from the Sago palm (cycad) sets the stage for MONSTER #3.
...and weird blooms from the Aloe saponaria add to the suspense.
MONSTER #3
This little guy loves the front stonewall. I just hope I don't mistake him for a green bean!
They're ready to pick.
"That's not funny!"
MONSTER #4:
Here's our mother raccoon on the back porch last night. Because of the reflective coating in many nocturnal animals, the eyes glow in camera shots. She looks like a monster, but she's ok and we like her.
Do you have any monsters in your garden?
David/:0)
