Yesterday I mentioned I’d found an interesting dark red mushroom but did not know what it was, so I stopped at the visitor center at Blendon Woods Metro Park to ask someone if they could identify it. I got my answer, plus some wonderful facts about monarch butterflies I didn’t know about (or I’d forgotten).
On the counter in the visitor’s center were two stands with monarch butterflies in different stages of their life cycle. I had never seen anything like it so I became the fascinated child and started asking questions. The two women were excited to share as much information as they could with me. One of the women would go in search for the eggs, finding them under milkweed leaves. She would then bring these tiny eggs back to the visitor center in hopes children could learn and watch them.
The eggs are creamy white and later turn pale yellow. They are elongate and subconical, with approximately 23 longitudinal ridges and many fine traverse lines. The caterpillar is banded with yellow, black, and white stripes. The head is also striped with yellow and black. There are two pairs of black filaments, one pair on each end of the body. The chrysalis is blue-green with a band of black and gold on the end of the abdomen. There are other gold spots on the thorax, the wing bases, and the eyes. This monarch has just emerged from it’s chrysalis and is drying its wings. In the background you can see on of the green chrysalis.
5 Comments
QPB (Mary Ann)
A short but beautiful life cycle. It really is fascinating. Nice capture, Monte.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, and hope you guys enjoy your Sunday!
Alan M. Collopy
Monte,
Striking photo, super colors and interesting facts.
Thank you,
Alan
Marilyn
This photograph is absolutely beautiful….There’s something about getting out in nature with the challenge of capturing some of the amazing beauty around us.
Over the past year, I have found myself in the freezing cold, (I’m from Canada) braving snowfalls, and sliding over the ice in winter, then attacked by mosquitoes and black flies in summer, all in the hopes of capturing a glimpse of nature’s beauty with my camera… If you would like to view my website please go to http://marilyns-photo-shoppe.partnersaroundtheworld.com…Thank you..
Monte Stevens
I will take a visit to your website and thanks for making a stop at my blog and adding your positive comments. I have discovered that as I age my desire to venture out in the cold is more difficult than it was 10 years ago. I also find it difficult to convince butterflies to pose. They just flutter everywhere.