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Monarch Butterfly emerging from it’s chrysalis
I had a chance to photograph this caterpillar spin it’s chrysalis and then 10 days later, watch it emerge as a monarch butterfly.
During the 10 days it looked like nothing was happening inside the shell. But it was a time of rapid change. For within the protective covering, the old body parts of the caterpillar underwent a remarkable transformation, called metamorphosis, to become the beautiful parts that made up the butterfly.
From the time when the butterfly breaks free of it’s sleeping bag to when the wings are inflated and begin to dry, takes approximately 12 minutes. So without a crystal ball, on the ninth day, I set up my own sleeping bag next to the caterpillars’ and wait. I don’t dare sleep. I’ve watched paint dry and grass grow, but not being able to examine the inside of my eyelids was not fun. But then it happened. Miraculous!
This is a time lapse photo over those 10 days. Each individual image was then stitched together in PhotoShop, and put together as a montage.
To learn more about these amazing flying flowers and what you can do to help ensure their survival, visit the good folks at Pollination Station.
Steve,
I’ve seen this photo of yours before but did not realize it spanned the time period of ten days. It’s well done. Has it been cropped in a particular way? I’m wondering if there is more negative space above the branch for design copy or layout options on a two page spread?
Patrick,
Unfortunately this stitch is from 35mm full frame pictures. At the time, I thought I was leaving lots of negative space, but I can see now how narrow my view was. I’m going to try stretching the top and bottom of the frame in PS. Thanks so much for noticing.
What an incredible photograph. It’s an amazing cycle of life, and you captured the whole thing. I would love to try shooting something like this myself but I don’t think I have the patients you do.
Ryan,
My patience could only be mustered with the anticipation of actually seeing the transformation before my eyes. That, and lots of caffeine – ha.
i like it!/its so very interesting topic!
Hello Steve. Is the “Monarch Butterfly emerging from it’s chrysalis” photo available for non-commercial use? I’d like to use it as a background visual on a slide listing types of change taking place for a course that I’m preparing to teach later this month.
Hi Steve,
Amazing photograph. I would like to use your photo with my teams to facilitate transformation (with source citation). May I- any copyright I also need to navigate? Thanks.
Priscilla
Image is protected by copyright law. Available for rights-managed purchase
May we use your photograph for a newsletter on Nature?
Image is protected by copyright law. Available for rights-managed purchase