from caterpillar to butterfly in photos

For several years  now, the girls and I have collected and raised caterpillars. This year we've raised four monarch caterpillars. Three are still in cocoons and one hatched today while we were at church.

I've taken cooler photos of monarch butterfly caterpillars in nature but this is a good record shot of one of our four caterpillars for this little essay.

This is what he looks like after he sheds his skin for the last time and before the chrysalis hardens.

I think monarch chrysalis are beautiful. They look as if God took the tiniest paint brush and decorated them with gold leaf.

I like the distortion through the glass. Two of the monarchs chose to use the branches for their chrysalis and two climbed to the top of the jar and latched onto the plastic canvas on top.

What we saw this morning before church. So very, very cool!!

Usually Hubby is at work for these events but not this year.

It was mega-hot - 95 degrees with high humidity.

When we got home, he was completely unfurled. Here are some shots from last year to show you what they look like right out of the cocoon.

I have more photos of butterflies and caterpillars (although I realize that may favorite caterpillar shot isn't at this site) at my gallery at Pbase.

I am sharing this at: