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Saturday 28 June 2014

Finally some friends are back !

We totally struck out last year ... not one "friend" the whole season .. let alone actually seeing a full blown adult "friend" ... it was sad ... lonely ... scary ?
BUT ? ... finally some friends have landed and made their presence known ... I planted enough dill all over the place to draw in monster butterflies if possible ... can you say monster and butterfly in the same sentence ... hum ... I think not .. we just need to know they approve and settled in their babies to munch to their hearts content!
This is just one of a few on the patio pot of dill .. Burpee dill seems to be quite attractive to them!

This one (of quite a few) is in the rose wrap bed ... munching away happily.
Is it weird to get excited over caterpillars ? do I need a support group ? .. nah ! ..
When I over wintered that little guy two years ago and it became the absolute beautiful butterfly it was meant to be .. it seemed a miracle to me that the experiment worked .. so hopefully I can do it again and this will be the result once more.
From this
 To This

Now who could ask for more ?

13 comments:

Jean Campbell said...

I saw a Swallowtail yesterday and one again today. I hope this is the beginning of a colorful summer.

rochefleuriegarden said...

Aren't the caterpillar beautiful (and easier to photograph than butterflies!). You have some great shots there.

Anonymous said...

I remember when you overwintered that butterfly chrysalis! It was pretty phenomenal. I planted two dill plants this year hoping to see some caterpillars too (sounds like you have tons more!!!) I'm glad you're getting results. They are so gorgeous. I don't think you need a support group at all tho ~ I totally get it!!! Hope you've been well....

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Jean I so hope we see a lot more of these beauties ... the last few years has been so sparse it was scary .. husband saw a Monarch a couple of days ago, that is rare too!

Hello Alain : ) Thank you very much .. yes much easier than nervous butterflies for sure !

Kathleen girl hello there : )
Yes that experiment made me so happy I couldn't believe it!
I dropped by your blog .. in love with those new pillows girl!

RURAL said...

Joy, they are so beautiful that anyone would love to have them visit and stay awhile. Your dill is up already? Mine is so tiny...lol.

Jen

Buttons Thoughts said...

No one could ask for more Joy. Beautiful. Hug B

Marguerite said...

That is very exciting Joy :) I noticed a lack of these caterpillars last year too - not sure what was going on?? It wasn't for lack of food as my garden buffet didn't change... Hopefully I'll have the same luck as you and see some this year. They are so much fun to watch.

Sunil Patel said...

Wow, that's a beautiful butterfly, it's a rather vivid caterpillar too. I hope more visit - and stick to the plants you want them to eat as opposed to putting holes in everything!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Jen girl they are absolutely precious to us and we watch them like hawks ? LOL
I bought really healthy strong Burpee starter plants and our weather was perfect for "growing" them up .. I hope Home Depot buys from Burpee again !!

Hello Grace girl : ) Thank you we are really happy seeing them .. not a one last year but this year is great !

Marguerite girl you just need a little more time and fingers crossed they will come!
I hope to capture an emerging butterfly because we have a chrysalis now too!

Hello Sunil and thank you for stopping by .. I am very fortunate that they love dill : ) you don't see plant damage from them with the fronds they eat .. and they are most welcome to them !

Carrie said...

Look, I know they are beautiful and ethereal wonders; I encourage them into the allotment. BUT, monstrous and butterfly fit perfectly in the same sentence for me - I'm terrified of them.
Your photos of the caterpillars are stunning, I'm sure the butterfly ones are too, I rushed past them! xx

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Carrie sweetie ... I have to confess openly that I am in fear of moths .. what is the difference between a moth and a butterfly ? I had a moth down my pants when I was 11 years old and never got over it .. it was HUGE!! something Freudian about it all I am sure but I am totally in fear of them still .. so I understand !!

Beyond the Dog Dish said...

Love the closeup of the caterpillars here and as well your bright green one in your latest post.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Thank you BDD ... I was lucky to get good shots of them .. it will be a lot trickier being there at the right time for the butterfly!