Tough photograph to process, because the lighting (flashlight held between my knees) was harsh, the environment was not photogenic, I was shooting though bars, I was at ISO 6400 and the subject was moving. But the process of the caterpillar morphing was INSANELY cool to watch! And certainly the highlight of this period. So I'm sharing despite the photographic drawbacks.
Backstory: several years ago I saw some Milkweed growing by the side of the road where I walk my dogs. It would have been mowed eventually, so I uprooted it and planted it in my garden when I got home. Last year it attracted egg-laying Monarchs but I never saw the caterpillars make it to butterfly stage. They might have, or they may have been someone's lunch. So this year when I had a bunch of caterpillars I made a cage over the Milkweed and covered it with screening (for the caterpillars to hang onto) and netting (to keep all the predatory bugs out). The first to morph managed it unwatched, so then I planted myself next to the cage and waited for hours till the next one transformed. It happens really fast, and they gyrate furiously in the cocoon to get rid of the old skin, and then get quiet while the cocoon hardens. Fascinating.
Well, I kind of miss the dogs - but not much when you follow them with this amazing moment. Great back story, Mary. I knew it was a cocoon immediately, but didn't realize I was witnessing the brief period of the caterpillar's emergence until I read it. How big is this?
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