Last week, our sweet elderly neighbor invited us over to her garden to take a look at three beautiful Monarch caterpillars living on her barren plant. Knowing that my son, Max, loves to raise caterpillars, she asked if he would like to take them home to care for them. Max excitedly accepted her offer and raced them home. After researching what Monarchs eat, we went to the nursery to buy a potted milkweed plant so the caterpillars could continue to fatten up.
A week later, two of the three caterpillars began to transform into a chrysalis. Here are a few pictures of the three caterpillars in their different stages of transformation.
The first caterpillar currently is encased in a gorgeous green chrysalis speckled in gold. It's absolutely amazing how spectacular the colors are!
The second one began to hang in a J-shape yesterday and when we awoke this morning, it too had transformed into a gorgeous green and gold speckled pupa.
The third caterpillar has not quite fattened up enough, so we had to run to the nursery to buy another potted milkweed plant. I'm sure he'll be ready to change soon.
We're anxious to see them emerge into Monarch butterflies. I'll be sure to share the news once they arrive!
My dear friends from China, Lynn and Gus came to visit San Diego last month. While they were here, I had the great honor of taking pictures of their beautiful family. They told me that they didn't have ANY family photos of the five of them together. I was shocked but totally understood the challenge of getting three little ones to cooperate and look at the camera all at once. I used a few of my tricks and think I got some decent ones. :)
