bird dropping mimic

arlon · Post by **arlon** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:51 pm

Noticed this fellow out on a leaf in the yard.

For a larger image CLICK_HERE

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:30 pm

Looks like a Giant Swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes.

Nice photo!

--Rik

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:58 am

A very plausible adaptation - so well spotted Arlon!

I strongly recommend following Arlon's link to his larger image as it really does bring out some surprisingly beautiful colour and detail in this quite bizarre creature.

Good post

Bruce

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:46 am

Indeed a most unusual and interesting creature, would have fooled me no doubt.

arlon · Post by **arlon** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:19 am

rjlittlefield wrote:Looks like a Giant Swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes.

Nice photo!

--Rik

Rik, Thanks for the ID. I've seen the butterfly around a time or two but never when I had a camera in hand. Only found one caterpiller on the tree, hope it survives to adult.. Thanks for the other comments too.. Arlon

Shot at f22 with the old 55mm micro nikkor and onboard flash..

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:14 am

A very cool looking caterpiller. I would not want to eat it