This morning I stayed around the house waiting for a Monarch butterfly to emerge from its chrysalis. The chrysalis had been turning dark for a couple of days and was now jet black except for the orange of wings showing through. I knew it had to be soon. Eventually on its own time rather than mine it started to crack the chrysalis. In no time it emerged and then began crawling up the tines of a grass rake where it had decided to spend its chrysalis time. While crawling it made its way to a chrysalis not yet ready, maybe to pay a visit and to tell the new chrysalis, Hey, it isn't so bad out here. When it fell to the ground I picked it up and took it over to a milkweed plant where I set it down. After an hour I went out to check on it and found it hanging just fine. I thought I should get one more photo of it hanging and then spreading its wings. When I grabbed my camera from the living room and went out again he was just flying off to land on the neighbors roof. Another happy ending in Monarchville.
Very nice series , Thanks for posting.
naturepics43 wrote:
Very nice series , Thanks for posting.
Thank you very much. I appreciate you taking a look.
Monarchs (as most butterflies) must hang wings-down for about an hour, allowing gravity to keep their wings straight as the wing veins dry to rigid. This is when they are most cooperative! My best butterfly photographs are immediately after eclosure.
Nikonian72 wrote:
Monarchs (as most butterflies) must hang wings-down for about an hour, allowing gravity to keep their wings straight as the wing veins dry to rigid. This is when they are most cooperative! My best butterfly photographs are immediately after eclosure.
That is why he was hanging upside down then. Interesting. I have had about 3 of them that never did hang upside down and their wings never opened up. It was apparent that all of the wings were there but the Monarch was not able for some reason to keep the wings open. I thought about taking a toothpick and gently unfolding them but thought better of the idea. Now I wish I had done that because all 3 died. I guess I need more experience before getting into Monarch surgery, even minor stuff.
Do you have any idea if they have any homing instincts or do they smell pheromones like some animals do. I have many now putting their chrysalis right on my back door frame. Others have chosen a particular pot to hang from. What makes them pick the same spot when there are many other just as good or better spots to hang from? Some seem to go great distances (for a caterpillar) to find a place to J hang.
I have no idea if Monarch caterpillars can find each other by scent. Your most recent eclosed Monarch is a male. Note the black scent glands on both rear wings (image #2). Female Monarch butterflies find males by pheromone scent.
Nice shots. :thumbup: :thumbup:
sniff.........I love happy endings...........nice series :thumbup:
Photog21 wrote:
Nicely done :thumbup:
Thanks for taking a look and for the comment.
waltchilds wrote:
Nice shots. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Thanks, waltchilds, I appreciate the comments.
napabob wrote:
sniff.........I love happy endings...........nice series :thumbup:
It is too bad we don't live closer together. Your personality seems to be close to mine. Thanks for the comments.
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
:thumbup:
Thanks. I appreciate the thumb up.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.