Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

Outside playing with my kids, we came across this little fellow on our street. 

I thought it was a toy at first, but then it started moving. 

It turns out that this is an Eastern Tiger swallowtail caterpillar. The kids and I were fascinated by this insect, but after a few minutes, the kids wanted to get back to playing. We were all careful to make sure that we didn't step on the caterpillar as it walked across the road. Fortunately, as the caterpillar neared the sidewalk, a friendly bird picked up the caterpillar and helped him (or her) reach its destination. Or at least the bird's destination.

A few weeks earlier, I took a picture of this butterfly.

I've come across several of them in my neighborhood, and as you may have guessed, this is what the Eastern Tiger swallowtail caterpillar turns into. I presume that before turning into a butterfly, the caterpillars eat through one apple on Monday, two pears on Tuesday, and three plums on Wednesday (but are still hungry before going on a crazy eating spree on Saturday).