The 3.5 acres of blooming trees and flowers have been host to a multitude of fly-in visitors. Birds and beetles (japanese) visited the grounds early this spring, with the cicadas, hummingbirds and butterflies soon following. The Easter Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail and the Viceroy butterflies have been feasting on the lantana, salvia, and butterfly bushes.
The swallowtails are the most popular with the visitors, many amazed at the bright blue on the black swallowtail. The Yellow Swallowtail flit from bloom to bloom, rarely holding still for a photo opportunity.
While picking green beans, I noticed two green/black striped caterpillars. Hoping to have Monarch caterpillars, I researched and found that they are Black Swallowtail caterpillars. They are green with black stripes, approximately two inches long. We will keep an eye on them in the next few days and see what transpires.
