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Tiny Egg on Milkweed |
A sweet discovery I've been waiting my whole life to see.
Others have witnessed this from beginning to end...
but not me,
not from an egg
discovered in my very own garden.
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1.2 mm high and 0.9 mm wide |
See the tiny vertical ridges?
There is only one thing
in all the world this could be...
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Five Days Later |
and it is just beginning to hatch.
What could be inside?
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1/8 of an inch long |
Welcome to our world little guy.
All he thinks about is eating...
first he'll eat his egg shell
and then he'll eat the milkweed
he lives on.
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1/4 inch long |
This tiny little caterpillar
is very hungry.
He has doubled in size in just one day.
You might too
if all you did was eat.
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Day Four |
You should know that milkweed is the only food
this caterpillar will eat.
Milkweed has a nasty toxin in it
that makes the caterpillar taste nasty.
Birds don't like the taste
so they choose not to eat the caterpillars.
Mother Nature's way of protecting them.
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Caterpillar Changing his Clothes |
As the caterpillar grows bigger,
he simply undresses.
He wiggles out of his skin
to a find a larger size just waiting for him.
And if he keeps on eating
he'll soon grow out of that as well.
And he will... keep on eating.
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It's a Fine Life |
As he eats,
he grows bigger and bigger each day.
Hungry, hungry caterpillar.
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Fat Little Caterpillar |
He will actually shed his skin FIVE times
in the next two weeks
as he grows to be two inches long.
About this time,
something deep inside whispers...
it's time.
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Hanging Out in J Position |
So he scurries to find a place to hang...
upside down!
Quickly he begins spinning silk threads
to make a tiny button
to attach himself securely.
He looks like the letter J as he lifts his head.
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Shedding his Skin |
And then something quite remarkable
begins to happen.
 |
Un-Dressing |
The caterpillar completely
undresses again...
shedding his skin for the last time.
This time he looks very different.
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Almost a Chrysalis |
He continues to change
right before your very eyes.
He is becoming...
He is becoming...
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Chrysalis One Inch Long |
a beautiful Chrysalis...
with golden jewels to adorn.
Surely a miracle.
♦ ♦ ♦
Now... something quite wonderful is happening
inside this tiny Chrysalis.
What will happen next?
Patience, my dear friends...
next post!
Patience, my dear friends...
next post!
*It's been several weeks since I last posted here and about that long since I've had time to visit blogging friends. Thank you to those who have sent notes asking if I was ok... I am. Life is good. Very good. My last little fledgling (# 8 of 8) just flew from our nest. I guess that makes us empty nesters. (Still trying to wrap my mind around that title.) I've known this stage of life was coming... just never took time to embrace the idea of it as it approached. Funny how life has a way of sneaking up on you. I've been blessed to be a stay at home mom for 37 years... so an empty nest is a major change in my life. Thankfully, I will forever be a mother, it is my greatest joy, but with the nest now empty, I can focus in a new direction. Still pondering... so many ideas... what to do, what to do.
All content created by Carolyn Bush | Copyright © 2010 - 2013
All Rights Reserved | This Grandmother's Garden
Highland, Utah, USA
What a beautiful post! My husband and I became 'empty nesters' this year, too. It's weird but I'm enjoying the quiet and know that both of my kids are happy where they are.
ReplyDeleteAnd all of mine are as well... isn't life grand?
DeleteNice! What a wonderful, hopeful post--about monarchs and about life. I'm a recent empty-nester, too. But as you know, the kids come back. Transitions are hard, but it's wonderful to see the kids become independent, thoughtful adults, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes. And yes. :)
DeleteIncredible photography-national geographic quality. thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed... thanks for visiting!
DeleteI have enjoyed all of your posts, but this one is the best so far. The children at Frankford Friends School (we are in Philadelphia and yes, it is a Quaker school, Nursery through 8th grade) have been raising monarchs this year. I am eager to share this with them to complement their own observations and records. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile... so glad you came and I'm thrilled that you want to share this with your school children.
DeleteOh Carolyn! What an amazing post! I've never seen this process before in the detail you shared... I can't thank you enough! It sounds like you have a wonderful family and have truly been blessed! I'm glad, you are a good and kind soul and you deserve every positive that comes your way:D
ReplyDeleteHugs my sweet blogging sister,
Beth P
Thank you Beth. I feel very blessed... in sooo many ways.
DeleteHugs right back to you!
Amazing post! Thanks you so much for sharing this interesting transformation!
ReplyDeleteKatarina
You are most welcome, Katarina.
Deleteglad it's all good news, from caterpillars to kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana.
DeleteHow special to have this lovely. I had one monarch this year due to the extreme weather...perhaps the critters will help with the empty nest.
ReplyDeleteThis was a banner year... we saw five monarchs this year... after none last year and one the year before.
DeleteCarolyne, glad you are OK now, the life is kind, it's true. I love your pictures, what patience you have had to taking them at every moment of caterpillar changes!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nadezda. Life really is good for me... not grumbling a bit, just regrouping. So glad you enjoy my images.
DeleteThis is an amazing photo essay! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna, I 've missed visiting you... here I come!
DeleteOh how exciting for you Carolyn and your photographs are such a great documentary of events so far. I once found some eggs and managed to photograph the caterpillars but then a storm came and a tree fell on top of the area and when it was cleared they had cleared the wild garlic plants that the caterpillars had been feeding on. Every year I still look for those eggs - one year I'll find more I'm sure :) I've had to go the same 'empty nester' feeling as you as we had another one fledge too though one is still at home.
ReplyDeleteI've been checking those milkweeds every summer forever... you can imagine my delight at actually finding eggs. Hug your last "little one" every day... it will be all too soon before he flies as well. But really, isn't that what we really want?
DeleteGood to see you back, and glad to hear that you are well. It's a beautiful miracle that you were fortunate to witness going on in your garden.
ReplyDeleteJen
Thank you, Jen. It was nice to visit you again.
DeleteI have always dreamed of finding a monarch chrysalis in my garden, but even with my milkweed plants, I've never found one. Good luck with your finally empty nest, it's a curse and a blessing all at once.
ReplyDeleteThat has been my dream for so long... never give up, dreams do come true.
DeleteFantastic series of photos! I doubt I would have recognized the egg for what it was. Congratulations, and I look forward to seeing the emerging butterfly!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb. I've been looking for so long, At first I thought it too good to be true,
DeleteCongratulations! Its so amazing that you manage to document the whole metamorphosis. I just can't wait for the sequel and the finale.
ReplyDeleteSoon!
DeleteThis is such a wonderful series of photographs. What a find in your own garden!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post, Carolyn. I'm so glad I got to see your photos. I tried this myself this summer...found 5 monarch cats on the milkweed. Unfortunately they didn't make it...something got them and they all died in the caterpillar phase. I remain hopeful I'll be able to witness the process eventually. I've been married nearly 37 years but still have a 16 yr old at home. Not sure how I'll cope when he eventually leaves. Know it will be difficult, but their independence is what we hope for all along.
ReplyDelete