The Modern Savage Land

Sometimes when I am sitting in the backyard high up on our composite deck on the back of our very modern home I think about what is behind our backyard. The greenbelt behind us has many creatures which include coyotes, various birds, a lizard or two and some really interesting insects. We also have two empty lots next to our house and with all the rain this year, we ended up with some awesome wild flowers as well. For use of a better term, I came up with "Modern Savage Land".

Due to all of this "nature" we ended up with the largest population of butterflies and caterpillars I have ever seen in one place (other than a butterfly preserve). They just appeared all over our deck, in the yard, in the trees and in the flowers. Most of the butterflies were of the orange/brown variety (I don't know my butterflies) but we also had many white, some brown, and even a a few black or black and blue butterflies). Just walking on the deck I had to be careful not to step on the caterpillars. Just standing there I had them landing on my shoulders, arms, and even on my hand.

The pictures don't do it all justice, but you get the idea. Even today, three weeks later I am still seeing a few caterpillars and butterflies about. I think its not really that savage when you have some butterflies landing on you.....



This one landed on the patio table and got a little sun...

I have a feeling he was tuned into my taking a picture and he wanted to get his best side in.
Three butterflies sitting on the chair. They covered the back deck.

Mr. Caterpillar.

Someone really liked the butterflies. Zuni thought about some bug desert this day!