The Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle: A Metamophosis . . . continues with a busy butterfly community freeing themselves of confining chrysalises.
Observing carefully you will note there is a difference in the first and second chrysalises . . .
look towards the top and see how the surface begins to give like an accordion . . .
expanding as the abdomen moves inside loosening the antennae and leg templates
that clearly are revealed in the first image below.
There are often small signs revealing when change may occur . . .
looking carefully at details of life allows for magical observations and enchantment.
A gentle but firm push opening doors freeing body and spirit.
Going behind to observe how the back of the chrysalis gives way.
A plump male Monarch butterfly falls from his casing.
Note the end of the abdomen.
Emerging whole from dreams soon to be taking wing towards adventures yet unknown.
Insects have six legs but many butterflies mostly reveal only four.
Looking just under the head and eye this photograph shows the fifth of six legs
which is much smaller than the prominent four.
The sixth is hidden on the other side of the Monarch butterfly.
A time to hang out allowing for wings to harden while pondering new trappings and mindset.
Elsewhere in the community another fresh opening into an exciting new existence.
Sturdy tenacious legs become like parachute strings holding on for dear life.
A perfect female pumps her wet wings into fullness from her engorged abdomen.
I cannot express how much this magical metamorphosis enriches my life each summer and fall.
There are now only two chrysalis left hanging in my sedum bouquet.
The caterpillar you see above is one.
Joy is complete when releasing these marvelous Monarch butterflies
and seeing them take flight for the very first time.
Next installment will be the sharing of releasing Monarchs into a sweeping cerulean sky.
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19 comments:
Hello Carol:
We continue to marvel at this whole sequence which, through your wonderful and exacting photography [and it is not our intention to flatter here], is played out before our very eyes. Indeed, a post such is this, and the ones which have gone before, could only be matched by being physically present.
Sometimes one's religious faith wavers and one suffers doubt. In such instances one has only to observe something as small and as fragile and as delicate as that which you show here and one cannot help but be in awe of the whole of Creation. And in this way the spirit is restored.
We shall much look forward to the next post when these marvellous Monarch butterflies are released into the open.
Fantastic ! Isn't timed photography amazing ! Put it on a tripod and let it rip !!! Have a great day !
Carol thanks so much for the beauty of the birth of the butterfly. Never have seen anything like this before.
Breathtaking.
Have a wonderful day.
Thank you all for your kind words of support. Jane and Lance it truly is a marvel and questions abound as to the mystery of life. I am delighted to share these and so happy that you all are enjoying the series. Country Gal, I confess to not being so technically savvy as to know how to do time lapse. Not even using a tripod. These images are taken as I observe the emerging butterflies. It is very hard to get any that are not blurred as they are moving so fast. I get lucky sometimes is all. With film in the past . . . I did at least use a tripod and had better results.
FANTASTIC!
I feel like I was a part of this miracle.
Thank you so much Carol.
Fondly,
Sharon
The colors and the sequences are amazing, thanks for sharing these.
Your sequence here of shots is awesome. Wonderful macros on such a beautiful process.
Hello Carol [again]:
We have returned for our third look for we remain in such awe of the beauty and wonder of these images. No 'time lapse' photography could ever capture the exact moment nor do so with such a perfectly composed picture.
Carol, I hope you continue to improve. Thank you for showing us this miracle. I've only found dots of eggs in the garden, but never anything more. At least I can come here and see just how fantastical the whole process is. Barbarapc
These are awesome pictures. I really enjoyed this series and lingered over each picture. Thank you,
Absolutely fabulous photos of the final metamorphosis. Sorry about the word verification on my blog. I get too much spam if I take it off and since I'm mostly offline painting in remote locations, it's hard for me to screen comments. I shall investigate if there is a way to substitute an easier verification. It usually takes me 2-3 attempts on most blogs but you can alway click to request another one. It's gotten worse lately.
Your beautiful photos bring back fond memories of my one experience sharing a "birthing room" with two of these glorious creatures. Ain't life amazing!?
Hi Carol,
I'm so happy to learn about your November trip to Venice! How exciting - it's a wonderful time to go. You will be there on November 21 for the Festa della Madonna della Salute, a very special Venetian holiday; I did a series of posts about this festa:
http://www.slowtrav.com/mt/mt-search.cgi?tag=Festa%20della%20Madonna%20della%20Salute&blog_id=40
As for a place to stay, the last time I was in Venice I stayed at a lovely B&B called Fujiyama. Great location, wonderful owners.
http://www.bedandbreakfast-fujiyama.it/intro.html
My church posts are grouped by sestiere (district) so at the bottom of each post, you can find the location of the church. For example, San Sebastiano at the bottom says "posted to Dorsoduro". It's close to the Fujiyama B&B.
Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope that you love Venice as much as I do! I'm not able to go this year but hope to return in 2013.
Cheers, Annie
Such beautiful creatures and your captures are amazing!!
Wow, your photos are so gorgeous, I can't believe you don't use a tripod! My own attempt to capture butterflies have not been very successful, and this year I haven't even seen any as the summer has been too cold. Thanks for sharing :-)
Carol,
as i take to heart each image and your words i feel myself almost holding my breath! the beauty, the colors, the dance of life unfolding, wings too ;-) is such a joy, the most beautiful ballet. thank you so much for sharing!
P.S. you are an amazing butterfly host!
This is a good series on the monarch, and your photos show the transitions beautifully, really fascinating to watch.
MIND-BLOWING BEAUTY! I feel like the Monarch Butterfly - just coming out of the chrysalis! Love you dear cousin! sb
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