Wasp Spider

The biggest wasp spider (Argiope bruennischi) I've ever seen, weaving a one foot wide web in a rosemary plant.

Yellow Swallowtail Caterpillar

The caterpillar of a Yellow Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) a day before starting the coccoon. Two or three lays of eggs hatched on my rue plants, which are apparently one of their favorite meals.

Persian Shield

The unique metallic shine of Persian Shield leaves, Strobilanthes dyerianus.

Aeonium rosette

Aeonium arboreum, from green to purple (from chlorophyll to anthocyanins) in a somewhat tryptaminic unfolding rosette of leaves under the sun. The genus name comes from the Greek αιώνιος, aiónion: everliving.

Dew of the Sun

Drosera is the genus of the sundew plants, and also their name in French and Italian. From the Greek δρόσος, drósos, dew. In Latin books about herbs, the plant was called Ros solis, Dew of the Sun. Note that the red extensions are not trichomes; they are tentacles.