Joey___
The day after Kim Smith’s movie, just a couple blocks from the cinema, in the searing noonday sun, a squad of these were scurrying toward the east along the Rogers Street sidewalk behind Cape Ann Savings. They were about two inches long. The questions for your readers are, who were they, where might they have come from, where were they going, and why?
This was my first shot with this new lens. There is a Sony E-Mount and a Micro Four Thirds version, $239.
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/60mm-f28-dn-a
Al Bezanson
Good Morning Gloucester 
I think you saw a “squad” (love your term!) of Mourning Cloak caterpillars. Unlike Monarch and Black Swallowtail eggs, which are deposited singularly, the Mourning Cloak female oviposits eggs in clusters. As to where they were going, I can guess that they were hungry and were headed to a food plant. Why they left their food plant I do not know. Mourning Cloak caterpillars eat willow (especially Black Willow), hackberry, hawthorns, wild rose, American Elm, and poplar.
Mourning Cloak Butterflies are often the first seen of the season, emerging from hibernation in early spring. They overwinter as adults, tucked into sheltering crevices, for example, the cracks of tree bark.
I like the British name for Mourning Cloaks–Camberwell Beauty.
Nice shot Al!
Next time anyone sees a “squad” of caterpillars, please alert me. I would love to rear them!!!
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Kim, I knew you would be here with the story – thanks! It was an odd sight, with perhaps a dozen scattered over about fifteen feet of sidewalk, with most heading the same way. The sun was right overhead and the sidewalk was so hot they might have cooked had they not been running as fast as their zillion legs would carry them. I never saw caterpillars moving at that speed.
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very cool shot. I have no idea what it is except some form of caterpillar. How is that for a scientific answer?!
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Ugh, whatever they are, I do not like them! great photo, all the same ! A
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You may have a different opinion of Mourning Cloaks when they become airborne.
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there going to be the first in line to get a hat from joey
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I LOVE Mourning Cloak butterflies! They’re beautiful & unique.
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A view of what’s to come. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Nymphalis-antiopa
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