The 8th butterfly emerged today. I had an early morning appointment and when I came home he was out and gone, so no pictures for the baby of the group.
I'll be adding swallowtail butterfly products and later when the Monarchs pass through I'll try to get some photos. So far I have not seen a monarch cocoon, but if I do I'll try to make sure it becomes a butterfly.
Black Swallow Tail
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Yesterday's Butterfly
This beautiful butterfly emerged yesterday, I wasn't able to be home when it came out of it's cocoon. I found him and moved him to a better spot, but he was old enough that he didn't want me messing with him and he took of shortly after this shot.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Swallowtail Poster
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Another one emerged this morning
Only two cocoons left. I feel so good. I never expected (although I really, really hoped) to get them all from caterpillar to butterfly. I wasn't here for the emerging, I did get a few good photos & will post one later.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Three Left
I had been watching one cocoon all morning and off and on into the afternoon. I was sure it would emerge today - and it did - when I wasn't watching. It set up it's drying area where I couldn't get very good photos but there are two good shots to share. The first is the best cocoon shot to date and the second is the cocoon after the butterfly has emerged.
Then there were two
We watched both butterflies dry out for the longest time. They seemed quite comfortable just hanging there. When they finally did float away of course I missed the photos. But it was quite a morning watching these two.
Four left in cocoons.
Hanging Out
The butterfly moved around the flower plant and settled on this leaf. He stayed here for well over an hour.
On a Flower
I managed to get him onto a flower (I was very careful!). You can see his wings are still curled, and his legs are weak.
Totally Emerged from Cocoon
The butterfly is now totally out of the cocoon. Within a few minutes I moved it to the flower plant outside the box where he stayed until he was strong enough to float away.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Emerging
I was talking to my husband, turned and the butterfly had started to emerge. It is such a silent process and happens so quickly I felt lucky to get this shot.
Much Stronger
This butterfly is much stronger, but he will continue to rest and gain strength for at least another hour.
In the mean time I saw that another butterflies cocoon was changing. The cocoon looks like it is getting darker, actually the cocoon is becoming translucent and the darkness is actually the butterfly. I brought the box over to where I could sit and wait for it to emerge & luckily spotted it just as it was emerging. I didn't get great pictures because of the location of the cocoon, but some are worth sharing.
Great Butterfly Day
This morning I went out to check the cocoons. One of the butterflys had already emerged. I helped it to a flower and started to take a few pictures. As you can see it's wings are weak and wet, his legs are also very weak. The body of the butterfly is rather small when it emerges. The wings and legs grow stronger and the body grows larger. The butterfly will hang, gaining strength and drying its wings for an hour, sometimes more than two hours.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
One more
Another butterfly emerged this morning. I saw that it had started to change from it's bright green to a darker color so I figured today or tomorrow. I set some flowers up for it and then got busy because I had to leave the house. I looked out and there it was sitting on the flowers. As I opened the door it flew away so no pictures this time. NEXT.........
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Bambi & a Butterfly
How cute is this? This design is available not only on T's but also on numerous items like stamps & mugs & ever so much more.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Still Weak
I was going through my shots and came across this one that shows the weak and wet wings. the thing that amazes me is that it took this butterfly about 1 1/2 hours to fly, I don't know how it survives without a little help.
First Butterfly
I was positive it was going to be today & I set up & watched and watched, finally I decided to take a break & wouldn't you know when I came back to check it was out of the cocoon. I knew this would be a difficutl time for the butterfly & he was having trouble trying to grab onto the smooth side of the container. Finally he turned and dropped down, he touched the water in the glass holding the lily & I took the lily out for his safety & my photos. I think the lily was a little smooth and difficult to hang on to while growing stronger and drying his wings. I moved the lily to a plant of red flowers and that seemed much better for him. He stayed for over an hour and then when I took a second break he floated away. So I missed the beginning and the end, but I have seven more trys.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What's going on?
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/ChrysalisDevelopmentLPB.html
As I raise these beautiful butterflies I began to wonder what goes on inside the cocoon to change the caterpillar to a butterfly. I found the above amazing link - like who knew!
As I raise these beautiful butterflies I began to wonder what goes on inside the cocoon to change the caterpillar to a butterfly. I found the above amazing link - like who knew!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Beautiful Day
It is just beautiful today, I would love to have the first butterfly emerge today. It is hard to see if there are any changes going on. I think I might see some color changes but don't know if it is just wishful thinking or not. I would turn the container so I could see better, but the cocoon on the outside of the container would be a problem so I just have to be patient & ready.
Friday, July 1, 2011
More Zazzle Designs
Black Swallowtail on Chaste by littlewingdesign
Join one of the biggest graphic design affiliate programs
A beautiful delicate black swallowtail butterfly by Little Wings Designs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)