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rearing monarchs~ final chapter
 
The chrysalis bulges and cracks open
 
See the wings folded inside? The 2 front legs and antenna visible

How far that little candle throws his beams!

So shines a good deed in a weary world.

~William Shakespeare

 
Pulling itself out
 
Nearly there!
 
It slides out, and hangs on!
 
Trying to get a grip
 
It must hang so the fluid in the belly fills the wings
 
They begin to expand,and they are like wet paper
 
A critical stage! The wings must expand fully or it is doomed
 
This only took a few minutes at most!...a new life on my finger
 
Hanging quietly, the wings take several hours to be firm enough to fly,they open and close them excercising them
 
Seven all together today can't quite see them all...2 on top of each other top middle of image
 
A couple play peek-a-boo!
 
Ready to fly free
 
Farewell my little friends...:)
 
Riley keeping watch MONARCH WATCH!

As many of you know , I have been taking Monarch caterpillars from my yard,  keeping them in jars,feeding and caring for them till they are a chrysalis, then photographing them in the stages of development.

 

I am pleased I got some decent shots of them pupating, and enjoyed watching the chrysalis form and change, and then witness the butterflies emerging ( eclosing) about 2 weeks total.

 

Due to dwindling habitats,pesticides, and predators,only 10% of these would have made it in the wild. I had twelve, 8 were strong enough to make it to release. Not bad...only the strong survive , which is nature's way.

 

I was given life back through my heart transplant, so this is another way I can give back...to the EARTH

 

Many thanks to all my Tabblo friends for you support and encouragement!

 

Here's where I got my information, I have learned a LOT!

My next step is to make my yard a nationally registered "MONARCH WAYSTATION"

 click the link and check it out.
COMMENTS
Debdog said at 1:51 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Finally!!!!!! so MANY BUGS this took me WAAAAY too long to make!!!!!!!!!!!
Swedfinn said at 2:57 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Excellent!!!!
Welshchick said at 3:12 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
This is the most exciting thing I've seen all SUMMER! Yes, tabblo is quite BUGGY today! :^D
Chilla said at 5:22 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
This has been so interesting to watch and you have done so well! Your photographs showing the whole process have been fascinating, Thanks again Deb for sharing them here.
HtD said at 5:40 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
An wonderful tabblo.
Memotions said at 7:56 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
this is just amazing to watch Deb. thanks for sharing this series with us. Absolutely fascinating.
Mirella said at 8:04 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Only nowI have read about Monarchs in the Web. I didnt' know they lived only in a part of a world (not here, I'm sorry) and about their long instictive migrations.
You made a good job, Debra. Bravissima
Jigs said at 8:37 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
BRAVISSIMA, DEB!!! Amazing and wondrous documentation of this milestone event! Thank you very very much for sharing this jaw-droppingly delightful experience! May you continue to be blessed in your "new life"! And may you continue to be a blessing in this world through your butterfly care-giving efforts! You are simply awesome!!!
YorkJodi said at 8:55 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
WOW... Your whole process with the Monarch has been very fascinating to see & read about...
Excellent job... Very good and wonderful work you have done.
Whenever I see a Monarch I will think of my friend Deb ;)
Debdog said at 9:54 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
thanks everyone :)
Msisongkram said at 10:24 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Well done, Deb! Precious collection and I'm truly proud of you!
Maz2001 said at 10:59 a.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Superbly done. Youl are doiong a great service to Nature. Thank you. The butterflies are beautiful.
Tishfish said at 12:13 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
A long time Deb, but it was worth every second of it. Wonderful captures ! ! ! ! !
Chaitiamma said at 12:26 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Well done Debra !!!
Tunderke said at 12:35 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Very weird to seeing the whole things. Very cool.kiss
Shenresi said at 2:23 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
wow, I didn`t see such pictures in that way. It`s so wonderful to watch the big fantasy of life, that mother nature shares with us. I love the last picture with Reley, it`s great!!!
Anjad said at 2:42 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Well Deb, you know by now how I feel about this project... Thanks for sharing this wonderful process with us.
JuDeck said at 3:06 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
a great story Deb...I will now always share my garden with the catapillars.
Emmabro said at 3:54 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
beautiful Deb ...such patience ...but so worth while ...great shots !!!
Gerardfotografeert said at 4:57 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Wow, well done. You must be very proud with such a beautiful result. You did a fine job Debra, thank you for sharing it with us. Keep on going with marvellous work.
ConnieL said at 10:40 p.m. on Sep 8, 2008:
Deb, this is great! It's a wonderful thing you've done for these gorgeous butterflies.
Sirnicolay said at 4:10 a.m. on Sep 9, 2008:
Wow you have a lot of butterfly tabblos already! Hahahaha! :) You can do a Butterfly Fixation vol.2 haha! :)
Krisu said at 5:32 a.m. on Sep 9, 2008:
Well done, Debbie! (Just love Riley, he's sooo cute!)
Marcif said at 11:39 a.m. on Sep 9, 2008:
I just love this, Deb! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! I wondered where you got them. The "ready to fly free" shot is my favorite, although it's hard to choose! The colors of the mesh container, and way the butterflies are lined up, classic! I have thought about getting involved with Monarch Watch and now I know I need to. I used to have a large milkweed plant in my backyard that I got from a neighbor. I didn't know at the time that it is the food source for the monarch caterpillar. It died recently, so I need to replace it. Thanks again for sharing an up close view of the miracle of life :) God is awesome!
Lifequest22 said at 8:31 p.m. on Sep 9, 2008:
It's really exciting to see these. Great work Deb.
Debdog said at 12:38 p.m. on Sep 10, 2008:
thanks all of you for your interest, and patience with all these butterfly tabs....i know many people could care less, and don't bother to look and see what it;s about..oh well..... PLANT MILKWEED!!!!! thanks :)
Tractorbabe said at 1:09 p.m. on Sep 12, 2008:
Fantastic Deb! Love the picture with Riley watching the butterflies....
Loes said at 5:43 p.m. on Sep 13, 2008:
It was really great to see this Deb, thanks for sharing!!
Jantass said at 8:56 p.m. on Sep 13, 2008:
WONDERFUL SHOTS....HERMOSO TABBLO !!!
Queenanneslace0724 said at 11:41 a.m. on Sep 15, 2008:
Simply beautiful and amazing! Nature at work - and Mom Monarch Deb!
Queenanneslace0724 said at 11:42 a.m. on Sep 15, 2008:
P.S. I * LOVE * The cat picture! He looks sneaky like he is trying to be oh so casual but still thinking about a snack. lol.
Siagian said at 12:18 p.m. on Sep 15, 2008:
WOW. you definitely have more patience than me. awesome job here.
Debdog said at 2:05 p.m. on Sep 15, 2008:
thanks Cathy,Loes, jeanine,Kim, Woody HI!!!!
YonderCreature said at 12:51 a.m. on Oct 3, 2008:
So many miracles to behold, you being one of them! I love the last shot of the cat staring at the emerging wonder.
Sd14 said at 12:28 p.m. on Oct 7, 2008:
this was a bit like raising a bonsai tree the journey is the destination& the pictures you take along the way is the steps&of course we ask how many steps silly us if only we could just make the journy
without asking, then we would see the real lenght of our lives.
congrats your project is a WOW WOW FACTOR ONLY MEASURED BY THE SOUL,




mesd14+++Joe
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