Saturday September 15, 2007

 

My Last Two Butterflies

Wednesday & Thursday

 

 

By Wednesday morning I knew Mason was ready to exit the captivity to which she had been confined for the past nine days.

 

Since our grandsons Ian and Jared were here that morning, I placed the aquarium on the La-Z-Boy, hoping they could watch it emerge ~ and they did.  They were mesmerized.  Mason is the one who attached her chrysalis to the side of the aquarium.

 

On Thursday morning Meadow ~ my thirteenth and final butterfly ~ emerged.  I took the screen outside to watch her unfold her wings in the natural light of the sun.

 

Since it was a beautiful day ~ and this was my last butterfly I gently transferred her to a stick and placed her on leaves and flowers for photos, to show how nicely Monarchs fit into the background of trees and bushes.

 

 

 

 

My screen is left with ten empty shells.

 

Two are on the floor and one is on the side of the aquarium. 

I am partially relieved that my butterfly saga is over, and I can take the aquarium off my windowsill and give it back to my brother…

 

…and return my flower arrangement to its usual place.

 

I was pleased to care for all thirteen eggs and caterpillars…

 

…and release the butterflies without the loss of one.

 

On Thursday I noticed several Monarchs in our yard and butterfly bush.  I wonder if they are mine.

 

~~~

 

A few of my favorite pictures of Meadow

 

 

 

Watching the metamorphosis of these incredible creatures has filled me with a new appreciation for God’s awesome creation.

 

For this one, I placed a piece of paper on the driveway and encouraged her to crawl unto it.  I was pleased when she posed so nicely!

 

~~~

 

Thanks for the many words of encouragement during the past few weeks, while watching and photographing the incredible transformation from tiny egg to caterpillar to butterfly.