Swallowtail Love

The butterflies have been out of this world this year.  So so many of them!!!  If you notice this Giant Swallowtail flying around your citrus plants, pay attention to what this butterfly is doing.

It's laying eggs on the leaves which the caterpillars love to eat.

These pics were taken at El Presidio.  They will look like they're killing your plant, but they're not:)  The leaves will be chomped down to the nub and will grow back later.

Giant Swallowtail

They grab your attention(like they did me) and hold us captivated for many a long moment.  It's hard to have a conversation with another person when this butterfly is flying around the garden.

So if you notice bird droppings that look like this....

These photos were taken by me before I watermarked them.  They're right out of El Presidio.

 or this......

Swallowtail Caterpillar

 or this, don't stress.  They'll grow up to be beautiful butterflies.  More tomorrow.....