the long wait

I checked faithfully on the chrysalis everyday.  Day 2 was remarkable because of the beautiful gold ornate "bumps."  The one around the top is known as "the golden zipper."  Even on day 2, I could see the beginnings of the wing pattern starting to form.  I couldn't get over how beautiful the chrysalis was.






Day 3 looks pretty similar to Day 2.




On day 4 the wing pattern appears to become more defined.




Day 5: no apparent change.


I have to be honest.  By day 6, I was getting tired of waiting--tired of not seeing any real changes.  What the heck was going on inside there?  And why couldn't I see any more apparent changes on the outside?  How many ways can a photographer think to photograph the same little green chrysalis?  I was getting impatient.


So much so, that I forgot to take a photo on Day 7.  I was no longer so enthralled with the process.  I knew something was going on inside the little green package, but I was recording the process more out of duty than true desire.  I had better things to do every morning at 10am than photograph a little green chrysalis.  My dishes were calling my name.  Continuing to photograph this little guy felt like an interruption in my day.

But, on day 8, I discovered a huge change.  What in the world?  How did this little guy change so fast?  What a surprise!  When I was least expecting it, all of a sudden, that little green chrysalis was no longer green, but clear.  Translucent.  And, wow, what a transformation!  To think that I had grown impatient, and had almost gotten too busy to keep waiting.  I could have completely missed it!



I promise to finish the story, and post butterfly pictures sooner than later!

Again, all photos taken with my 100mm, f/2.8 macro lens.  Some photos are cropped in to show more detail.