Over the past few weeks, Blue Atala caterpillars have been out in force. A single coontie plant in the park by my house could have 15 – 20 caterpillars. A week ago, the caterpillars all formed their chrysalids, so the coontie plants look like Christmas trees, evergreen shrubs with little red ornaments.

I can’t wait for the next week or so, when the park will be swarming with Atala butterflies.