Caterpillars and Crumpets

It's time for yet another installment of "Insect Identification". You have to read that in one of those deep voices with an echo-ey sound in your head. Like "Muppets in Spaaaaaaace". Ok, so let's try again:

"It time for yet another installment of Innnnnsect Identificaaaaaation..."

In our last episode we figured out that we had a Writing Spider wolfing down a bee right outside my window. BUT in this episode we must conclude what the wicked, albeit weirdly beautiful, creature is that has made himself at home by devouring every single leaf off of my tomato plants.

It's almost worth it, though, because this is honestly one of the most odd things that I have laid eyes on, so if you get this, y'all are good. REAL GOOD. And my hat will certainly be off to you. So without further ado....what the heck is THIS (and do not say a caterpillar, smart alek...that's my job):

And because I aim to please, I won't end this post with a mere caterpillar. No, I will show you my bizarre moment from yesterday. I must first tell you that I have lived here, in this exact location for 9 years. It is across the street from a pretty busy train track yet never....never-ever....have I seen anything like this:

And not only have I never seen actual people on the train (except the conductor, of course), I would never in my wildest dreams have thought that I would view grown men snoozing under sunflower umbrellas like they were sailing down the River Thames.

Tea and Crumpets, anyone? BIZARRE.