Our second caterpillar in pupa form was placed outside in the event it would become a butterfly in our absence. It appear it wouldn’t be long as the outer layer was thinning.
One time when we returned to check on it, we found the exterior was transparent and the creature inside was black!
I set up a video camera and waited. This is a summary of the result.
Having discovered a monarch caterpillar on our milkweed, we moved it inside with some milkweed not only to protect it but to observe its complete transformation to a butterfly and then release it.
We watched as it spun silky thread to hang from upside down.
Then when we weren’t looking, it was a green chrysalis!
Since it wasn’t going to need any of the remaining milkweed I carefully prepared to clean out the container. I was surprised to find a tiny caterpillar had stowed away on some of the milkweed from the garden!
It was at this time we had a visit from our 2 youngest grand kids. They were intrigued with the chrysalis and enjoyed watching the hungry, little caterpillar grow by the day.
Meanwhile the chrysalis hanging from the top of the container had begun to change…
We knew it wouldn’t be long before the magic happened but we had a ‘game to catch’. On our return about an hour and a half later…
The gender marking was clear on his wings. It took about an hour for his wings to dry and he began to stretch. We carefully took him outside and gave him a chance to continue the ‘warm up before taking off’. After a quick ‘good bye’, he was gone.
Meanwhile the other caterpillar had been busy preparing for his or her next stage. It had already been hanging in the its ‘J’ shape and had started to shrivel up. We had been keeping a close eye throughout the day but while we eating dinner, it happened! We had just missed the skin falling off but caught the chrysalis in the wiggly, jiggly green blob stage.
We feel very blessed to have been able, in one week, to share the full cycle of this wonder of God’s creation with our grand kids! ❤
Three years ago we planted a single milkweed plant in our yard in hopes of attracting monarchs which aren’t common here. Apparently, they found our plant!
We carefully moved this chubby specimen to an appropriate container and provided it with ample milkweed to munch. Within a few days, it was ready to settle into a chrysalis attached to the roof (lid) of it’s temporary home. While we were cleaning out the no longer needed milkweed leaves, we found they were indeed needed! Another caterpillar had hatched!
Looking forward to the next stage of their life cycle.
Our home is wonderfully tucked into an acreage of birches which fills our view from every window. We are blessed to share the space with many, many birds (we’ve named a resident partridge ‘Danny’) as well as an assortment of critters including turtles, otters, beaver, rabbits and fox. I’m delighted to catch a glimpse of any and all but most recently have been captivated by the sight of fox.
When I came across this adorable Foundation pattern for Sleepy Fox from Andrea Tsang Jackson of 3rd Story Workshop, I purchased the pattern and set about a plan to incorporate it into something special. Andrea explains the story behind the pattern and the quilt in which she made it. She also shared how she made improv birch trees. With all that information and the birch out my window for more inspiration, I ‘grew’ some of my own.
For the quilters out there, I decided to appliqué the trees on the background rather than piecing them in. My version of the fox pattern includes black and white pieces of Minky in the ears, black vinyl for the nose and white Berber stabilized with fusible interfacing in the tail. I reworked the tail section of the pattern to remove a seam so that a single piece of Berber filled the space.
I first heard this noise a few years ago, while picking blueberries. It was not as close or clear as this cry so didn’t really bother me; just peaked my curiosity. This call, however, had me unsettled. This was in my backyard, after-al! I was certain a bobcat or lynx was entangled in some brush.
While hubby and I set off to follow the sound, my wise biologist friend (I keep on speed dial) informed me it was the ‘bark’ of a fox! Indeed, we caught sight of the fox pacing along a ridge of dirt just inside the treeline. It’s possible he/she was looking for date, staking territory or calling the kits in for bedtime.
My folks who lived here previously said they often saw and heard fox near their house seemingly wanting but avoiding engagement with their Husky. Our big, silver/brown Lab was not at all interested in join us on our search for the source of the bark. He offered to stay home and protect his food dish.
It was one of the coldest days we’ve had in a while but the laundry in the sauna was scheduled for the wash so I bundled up to head out and retrieve it. Am I ever glad I did! As I stepped up on the sauna porch, I noticed the front door window was a laced with significant amount of frost. Immediately, I grabbed my iPhone (of course I had it with me even though the sauna is only a dozen steps from our back door).
And of course, I grabbed the laundry and exchanged it for my DSLR , tripod and another layer of warm clothes.
A dime pressed against the glass gives scale to the delicate lines.
By setting a folding screen with black cloth behind the door and holding another up directly behind the camera, I was able to minimize any distractions in the glass for a crystal clear shot.
The tiny details fill me wonder, gratitude and reverence.
Karen Greaves Photography & Fibre Art 