Wednesday, November 10, 2004

The will to survive

    It was just a few short months ago that we were bombarded with hurricanes here. I remember how I felt after Frances played such havoc on so many trees in my neighborhood  especially to the one below, right in my own back yard. It snapped off even with the ground.

     This tree has always been one of my favorites, in the fall it gets covered in beautiful yellow flowers and attracts large numbers of yellow butterflies to the back yard.

   

     I am happy to say that the tree was destined to survive against all odds. It sprouted back up with a vengeance it had sure intention to be in full bloom right on time to attract the butterfly, that laid the egg, that turned into the amazing yellow caterpillar below.

     The caterpillar will shed it's skin several times before reaching full size and then wander off a few yards and become a pupae, hanging upside down in a safe place while it transforms it's self into a beautiful butterfly and then the process is started all over again. Amazing, right?

 

     This is a close up look at the beautiful flowers. It's hard not to feel happy when you look at these bright yellow beauties.

               *** Coy ***

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nature is truly amazing isn't she? Those flowers remind me, there is always sunshine after the storm. They are truly beautiful xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Amazing pictures.  Yesterday, the temp was 27 and the plants survived. Today though it was 23 and they did not.

Anonymous said...

What can say except you have done a wonderful job in capturing nature's beauty.

Anonymous said...

amazing isn't it?  we have fires in the pine barrens most every summer, and the amazing thing is a few months later..........you see all new greenery emerge from the burnt black embers.........like the phoenix rising........the miracle of nature, always moving on no matter what!

I hardly saw the little caterpillar, such perfect camoflauge...great shot you got too!

~JerseyGirl

Anonymous said...

I really needed this hopeful entry today, thank you so much. judi

Anonymous said...

Great news the tree survived! Amazing caterpillar there, I wonder what it becomes?

Nice shots!

Anonymous said...

great pics thanks for sharing