Black Swallowtail Caterpillar
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Now I'm just an old lump of coal
But I'm gonna be a diamond some day
- Billy Joe Shaver

I intercepted this fellow on its way to nowhere and put him someplace safer. (I'm sure he didn't really need my help at all.)
Actually he really seemed to like crawling around on my hand; he was in no hurry to get off. Hope he remembers how "not dangerous" I was when he returns as a butterfly, though I doubt if he'll land on my hand again.

Here's what he should look like eventually: http://www.pbase.com/corvidae/butterflies_black_swallowtail

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This is the photo I worked and sweated for today, but for some reason I just kept coming back to the caterpillar one.
(I think his stripes and colors hypnotized me.)
Anyway, this is actually a halfway decent shot of the hummingbird moth that I've been stalking at the butterfly bush: http://www.pbase.com/image/33472533

Also the "BAD CAT!" picture for the month: http://www.pbase.com/image/33472461
Another instance of arresting my first instinct and running to get the camera instead.

Two more -- I like these a lot also, but they were a little too subdued for my mood today:
Black-eyed Susan: http://www.pbase.com/image/33472511
(and jude's triple-titch: http://www.pbase.com/image/33476250)
and
Dragonsblood Sedum blossom: http://www.pbase.com/image/33472487