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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Butterfly Houdini



Tuesday evening, while we were eating, I glanced over at Lilly, (she always lays on the floor by the table just in case something drops or someone is feeling generous with a bite of leftovers). To my surprise, she was nose to nose with a black swallowtail butterfly! Mind you, we were eating in the kitchen, not on the patio!

I immediately got up, let the butterfly climb on my hand and took it outside. I am still baffled by how it got loose in the house.




I have brought in a few black swallowtail caterpillars to watch the metamorphosis, I keep a close eye out for them and I was certain all of them were accounted for.

I am assuming that somehow one of them must have escaped the enclosed space and the chrysalis was attached somewhere in the kitchen.

I'm so glad that Ms. Libby the kitty was upstairs or there might have been a different outcome for the beautiful butterfly.
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21 comments:

  1. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 2, 2010 at 7:05 AM

    Great photos Robin. This reminds me of when I was outside trying for some butterfly photos on the Butterfly bush and Luna was lying right beside the bush watching me. A Tiger Swallowtail started flitting right beside her nose. I thought "how cute" can I get a picture. No, because by the time I turned to snap she was snapping at the butterfly. I wonder what she would have thought if she had caught it. Not much of a treat.

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  2. F CameronSeptember 2, 2010 at 7:55 AM

    Beautiful photos! A chrysalis can be difficult to find sometimes.

    My BSTs have been emerging this week. So far, 100% survival. A few more to go (that I can find).

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  3. Ruth's Photo BlogSeptember 2, 2010 at 9:22 AM

    This is such a gorgeous butterfly,and to think,you had it on your hand.WOW! I hope today hold more wonderful surprises for you.
    ❤ Ruth

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  4. RoseSeptember 2, 2010 at 9:46 AM

    A beautiful photo, Robin! The swallowtails have really been abundant here this year and are one of my favorites, though I have yet to see one in my house:) I'm afraid if Sophie, our Golden, had been nose to nose with the butterfly, she might have tried to sample it; she loves to chase butterflies.

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  5. RoseSeptember 2, 2010 at 9:48 AM

    I forgot to add that I love what you did with your bookshelves! I think the shades of blue you added are such a peaceful, calming touch--perfect for a bedroom.

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  6. A Garden of ThreadsSeptember 2, 2010 at 12:25 PM

    Oh wow, I also bring caterpillars in and put them in containers to see what they turn into. I have never had one escape, but your escapee is a beauty.

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  7. Brenda PruittSeptember 2, 2010 at 1:43 PM

    What a beautiful shot!
    Brenda

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  8. HilarySeptember 2, 2010 at 5:01 PM

    Wow.. a beautiful, unexpected visitor. I'm glad all turned out ok. Great photo.

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  9. marmeeSeptember 2, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    wonderful first shot. i am glad you happen to be right there when the butterfly was discovered.
    i love your done~over book shelves. what a difference.
    happy september.

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  10. marmeeSeptember 2, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    wonderful first shot. i am glad you happen to be right there when the butterfly was discovered.
    i love your done~over book shelves. what a difference.
    happy september.

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  11. Kelly H-YSeptember 2, 2010 at 5:38 PM

    WOW, that is GORGEOUS!!!

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  12. PatSeptember 2, 2010 at 6:46 PM

    Rarely get to see the caterpillars.
    Must look harder.
    Perfect picture of the Swallowtail
    in your hands. Sure are beautiful.

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  13. ruthinianSeptember 2, 2010 at 8:40 PM

    awesome! that is so cool... the butterfly resting in your hand and you were able to capture it perfectly. And the caterpillars are gorgeous.

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  14. Sylvia (England)September 3, 2010 at 6:39 AM

    Thank you Robin, there are lots of pictures of Swallowtail and other butterflies on blogs but I knew that they are bigger than the photos or my imagination shows. I have been waiting for a photo to help me comprehend the size of these, I knew they are big but this is amazing. We don't have anything this size in the UK but we do have many smaller, but beautiful butterflies.

    Best wishes Sylvia (England)

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  15. CarolSeptember 3, 2010 at 3:00 PM

    Oh, that is so familiar! I have had that happen a few times too. Mine too were luckily release right away into the garden. Lovely photo! ;>)

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  16. JayneSeptember 3, 2010 at 5:01 PM

    Wow - what an amazing photo with the butterfly on your hand! What an experience :-)

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  17. Joanne OlivieriSeptember 3, 2010 at 7:59 PM

    Wow, that fact that you got him in your hand is remarkable. I'm forever chasing them trying to get good shots. These photos are amazing.

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  18. debsgardenSeptember 3, 2010 at 10:54 PM

    Beautiful photos! How fortunate you were there to find the butterfly and set him loose outside, and how fortunate the chrysalis didn't fall prey to a vacuum cleaner!

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  19. Dirty Girl GardeningSeptember 4, 2010 at 5:05 PM

    How fun! I love those butterflies....

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  20. Sharon LovejoySeptember 4, 2010 at 6:16 PM

    What a fabulous and serendipitous discovery!

    Happy long weekend,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  21. CarolynSeptember 5, 2010 at 2:42 PM

    Hi Robin,
    Great shot of that beautiful butterfly!
    I love the bookcase you painted too and the chair also.
    Thank you for your kind words for my Mom-she is slowly getting stronger and is back at the home where she has been for a few years now.Hopefully with time and a good diet she will get back to her sweet self.

    Take care,

    Carolyn

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