Jim, I watched my caterpillars do much the same thing. Once they are ready, they don't waste time. I had 4 moving about looking for that perfect spot at the same time. I think that only one made it to butterfly. Here is one that I am not sure what happened. Just what is this bee up to?

One's trash ... is someone else's treasure. Squirrels don't bother me much, but they can be a nuisance. But coons - they can be real pains in the patoot, at times ... e.g. when they pull down over a hundred ears of sweet corn ... and take about one bite out of each. That I'd figured to take to a couple of churches, social agencies, etc. Almost did, putting on a sign, "Using a sharp knife, cut out the chewed part and a bit extra: the rest, wrapped by the husk, is O.K. - even if you're playing second fiddle to a coon!". ole joyful

We had a big black snake climb into a shrub several years ago. The only reason I saw it was because a pair of catbirds with a nest in the shrub started screeching. It was a big snake and I didn't want to handle it, so I sprayed it with the garden hose on full blast. The snake left the shrub and my husband took the snake for a walk into the woods (and let it go unharmed except for the cold shower). :)

Overlook from the Gunflint Trail, out of Grand Marais, MN. The trail goes up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. You drive up to the end of the trail, launch your canoe (no motors allowed), and enter a HUGE wilderness. Tons of lakes and islands. No facilities. It's for people who want true wilderness. Extends into Canada. You dig your own latrine, build fires, pitch (or don't) your tent, etc. I've only looked out at it, never wanted to actually experience it. This shot is from the beginning of the trail, it climbs up a bit so the overlook of Lake Superior is wonderful.