Capturing a Caterpillar

Did you ever try to get close enough to
take a portrait of a caterpillar?

I'm not sure I ever had, before.

Where this caterpillar had been
openly moving along

when it sensed a looming presence
(that would be me)
it headed for the nearest shelter.

I'm not sure I got these pictures in order.

Before it disappeared entirely,
I picked it up.
I wish I could say I enticed it onto
a dry leaf..
How does one entice a caterpillar?
I picked it up.
The obvious reaction
of self protection occurred.

I waited, trying not to shake
the leaf too much.
Uncurled and marching on,
the caterpillar found the
edge of the leaf
and thus my waiting lens.

Then I had only to crop

and crop some more.