Saturday Critters #601

 I raise Black Swallowtail Butterflies as a hobby because they are so interesting, beautiful,

and quite frankly, they need our help.

It is quite fulfilling...

I am drawn to butterflies because of their beauty in motion, the gorgeous colors they display,

while in flight and when still..

Their lifespan is so short, too short, most only live 1 -2 weeks.

If you have any interest in raising butterflies, you can read about the things you need to know at

- Butterfly Lady -

At the end of the summer of 2024, I had a 20 or more chrysalis in a butterfly cage.

They stayed in that form over the winter and in early spring, one by one, they emerged.

- these 2 emerged on may 6th -

- 2 on may 7th -

- may 8th -

- may 15th -

- these 2 on may 15th -

-  2 emerged on june 4th -

                       - and this one on june 6th -             

    Once they emerge from the cocoon, their wings need to dry.  

Drying can take 2 - 3 hours, 

then the butterfly becomes more active in the netted cage, and can be released.

Not everyone hangs around for pictures, some butterflies fly off quickly, others stay around a little longer.

I still have 5 more chrysalis from last year, 

it's late in their season but I am still hoping they emerge.

Right now, I have 7 caterpillars on the dill in my garden,

they are getting really big.

A lot more will come,

it's going to be a great butterfly season!

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters

The Great White Egret vs The Red-Winged Blackbird

I am not sure how to narrate these images...perhaps the title should read 

"The Red-Winged Blackbird vs The Great White Egret"

I noticed an Egret, minding its own business, moving about slowly, it was fishing.

Nearby, I saw a Red-Winged Blackbird flying about, acting extremely erratically.

It had zero impact on the Egret, it seemed like the Egret did not even notice the bird.

I can only assume that the bird had a nest nearby he was trying to protect

I took a series of pictures...here they are in the order they were taken.

You can see the Egret in the bottom right corner of this picture.

It was heartwarming to see him so protective of his nest/babies.