Image: Su Leslie 2020
#wordlesswednesday
monarch butterfly
Hidden from the naked eye
The moment of pupation. Monarch caterpillar transforming into a chrysalis. Image: Su Leslie 2017Macro photography truly does change the way it’s possible to see the world; focusing in on tiny details unobserved by the naked eye, and saving them as so many pixels on a computer chip.
Emerging butterfly. The fully formed Monarch butterfly breaks free. Image: Su Leslie 2017
All that remains of the Monarch’s chrysalis stage.. Image: Su Leslie 2017From the life-cycle of a monarch caterpillar to the fine hairs on a bee’s body, what seemed hidden is revealed.
Bee and blossom. Image: Su Leslie 2017Posted to Hidden | One Word Sunday, hosted by Debbie at Travel with Intent.
DP Photo Challenge: 2017 favourite
The last cocoon. The final butterfly has emerged and flown away, leaving an empty shell and the Big T and I with new skills and great memories of our Monarch rescue mission. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
2017 has proved to be a bit of a watershed for me photographically.
I have taken more shots than ever before, spent time learning about photography and my cameras, and for the first time have actively composed shots, rather than just pressing the shutter and hoping for the best.
I have also learned that seeing the world through a camera lens brings me closer to understanding and engaging with the natural environment.
So my choice of most meaningful shot for this week’s Daily Post challenge is less about my development as a photographer than a reminder of the fragile beauty of the natural world outside my door.
DP Photo Challenge: temporary
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.
DP Photo Challenge: the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning
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.
Wordless Wednesday
The last butterfly has emerged and flown away, leaving an empty shell and the Big T and I with new skills and great memories of our Monarch rescue mission. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Surprise!
Surprise! The moment a monarch butterfly begins to emerge from its cocoon. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Another butterfly update: with video
Ready to fly. One of fourteen monarch butterflies that emerged from it’s cocoon in our garden today. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
The Big T’s monarch rescue programme is proving to be incredibly successful. Over the last few days about twenty five butterflies have emerged; fourteen of them today.
Here’s a video I made this afternoon; just a few of the hatchlings getting ready to take flight and leave us forever. Apologies for the slightly out-of-focus bits.
Silent Sunday
Emerging. The first butterfly “born” in the Big T’s sanctuary. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Wordless Wednesday
Surviving the storm; monarch chrysalis in the garden. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
