Prickly

The spikes on this caterpillar look scary, but the ants in the pic scare me more! I find myself watching for fire ants more than snakes these days. I want my last encounter with them to be just that, my last!

I knew I'd seen one of thses caterpillars before, but I wasn't sure about identification. It's a Gulf Fritillary caterpillar. I haven't seen any of the butterflies this year. I may have to go back and get this caterpillar and put it in my butterfly house. :0)

Thank you for your views, comments, and faves!!! :0)

[Kay Hodges]

Beautiful! I love your macro shots!

[cheryl]

fire ants.. ouch!!!!!! I would rather run into a snake... and I wonder what kind of butterfly this beauty will turn into.
?

[Carolyn White]

@cheribug It will turn into a Gulf Fritillary. Maybe I'll get to see one this year after all.

[cheryl]

@cjwhite how cool is that!!!!!! I need to invest in a butterfly book..

[RGHunt]

Beautiful

[joey d.Muli]

great capture !!

[Dawn]

Ooohhhhhhh big hug?? NOT! lol

[Kim]

Another great macro shot! Love the vine spiraling up the stem, too!

[Pam Hawkes]

Wonderful capture!

[Kerri]

Beautiful

[Barb]

wow, this is a wonderful macro...so much detail..love it and fav!

[Graham Thresher]

Fantastic detail.

[virtualbrownie]

Looks like it has had a meal on one of the leaves - great capture

[Sue Hecker]

Nice sighting and identification, great macro!

[Allison Maltese]

Wonderful detail!

[Quentin]

Great pic!!!

[Rick Schies]

After your experience I would understand why

[❀ Lynn]

He is very spiky and colourful! Ewww....fireants!
Think I might have seen one of these guys at my father-in-law's place.