Quite a menagerie you have there around you place. Know wonder the early Indians that part of your area, and I would do a lot of searching for artifact "In" and around those springs.
But I believe your mystery cocoon is... "Chlosyne leanira" or the Leanira Checkerspot.
Thanks fyrffyyr1...it is/was hard...guess I should go check to see if it's gone by now.
That's so very nice of you old digger to look it up & post the pictures, thank you. You know, I just took a picture that I think looks like the one you posted...going to post it here to see, maybe it's the same or in the same family? And yes, you are right on why the NA lived here for so long...has just about everything and pretty good weather....most of the time.
....maybe?
Have to add this...that "what is it" thing...well I went out today to check on it and almost fell over...it's really changed. At least I think this is the same "thing", it's on the very same leaf....hope you see this old digger...is this the "next step" in this becoming the butterfly? Can't believe how much it's changed...
...this is the first pic...
...and this is now...
&