Critters With Colors (Original Macro Photography)

Howdy,

It was a lovely weekend in Rochester, MN and, now that Monday has rolled around again, it's time to share some macro photos from yesterday's caterpillar photo shoot.

^{Mr. Hungry Monarch}
The milkweed plants have done the trick. Monarch butterflies have returned to the area! I haven't seen many monarchs over the last few years. Butterflies, in general, seem to have declined in numbers. It looks like that has begun to change for the better.

^{Do Those Things Pick Up UHF?}
Milkweed plants attract monarchs and, apparently, is where they lay their eggs. Almost every plant has a monarch caterpillar, happily gnawing away at the foliage. They make very quick work of the plants' leaves.

^{Pretty With a Shadow}
A shaft of light, streaming between the leaves of the trees above, illuminated this flower perfectly. The shadow caught my eye.

[^{OCD Swallowtail}]
The swallowtail butterflies have also returned. Unfortunately, they would not stop flapping their wings, even to suck a flower. This one landed and still continued the incessant flutter, making photos tricky. My old 7D doesn't have enough dynamic range, so recovering the highlights in its carapace wasn't possible.

^{A.K.A. Porcupine Flower}
Back in Mankato, it's time to start getting things ready for the upcoming school year. Those of us working as graduate and teaching assistants have a week-long introduction class, which begins on the 13th. I had also hoped to get something done on my capstone project this summer, which hasn't happened.

^{Yum... Fresh garden greens!}
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