DP Photo Challenge: temporary

November 9, 2017November 9, 2017 / Su Leslie / 34 Comments

Monarch caterpillar. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Monarch caterpillar; begining the chrysalis process. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Monarch caterpillar, shedding its skin. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Monarch chrysalis. Image; Su Leslie, 2017

Monarch butterfly. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Last summer the Big T and I planted milkweed, and enjoyed front-row seats to the lives of some monarch butterflies. From egg to mature caterpillar takes around two weeks; the chrysalis stage lasts around 10 days, and a butterfly can emerge, dry its wings and fly away in about 10 minutes.

Daily Post Photo Challenge | temporary

DP Photo Challenge: the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning

June 30, 2017June 29, 2017 / Su Leslie / 25 Comments

The beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning. Close-up shot of Monarch butterfly chrysalis hanging from cable tie against black background. The wings are already visible as the chrysalis shell becomes translucent, indicating that emergence is imminent. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Monarch butterfly almost ready to emerge from chrysalis. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

It is a special privilege to observe nature at work. Over this past summer, the milkweed that the Big T and I planted attracted record numbers of monarch butterflies. When it became clear that most of the caterpillars were falling prey to wasps and praying manti, the Big T built a butterfly sanctuary. This meant that not only did dozens of caterpillars survive to emerge as viable butterflies, but that we had ring-side seats to one of nature’s most beautiful shows.

We watched and documented the transition from egg to caterpillar, to chrysalis, to butterfly — right up to the moment our “babies” flew away for their winter hibernation.

The Daily Post Photo Challenge | Delta