This evening I decided to make our favorite Thai basil chicken stir-fry for dinner. No longer do I have to buy two small packages at $4 each from Whole Foods because I grow my own. After gathering several bunches from the garden, I rinsed them thoroughly and patted them dry with paper towels. Standing over the pan, I pinched each leaf off, smelling that wonderful licorice aroma. I used only intact, bright green leaves as some showed signs of prior insect activity. After I got half the leaves in the wok, I looked down to see a lone, neon yellow-green caterpillar munching away. Oh heavens! I quickly inspected what was already in the pan, then brought the little guy back outside. I have plenty of basil, so why not share? I'm just glad I saw him before tossing him into the pan. Ewwww!
100mm | f/4.5 | ISO 1600 | 1/320 sec