Thursday, June 7, 2012

this or that thursday: brand new monarch butterflies

Watching these two butterflies emerge from their chrysalides last week was an absolutley amazing experience! I spent four or five hours sitting on the ground watching them and taking pictures before they flew away. 


Here's a little recap of the metamorphosis that occurred right before my eyes...


First I noticed Wednesday evening that I could see the monarch's wing through the chrysalis so I knew it was close. (The pictures make the chrysalis appear bigger than it actually is. It's only about one inch long).


Early the next morning, the butterfly could clearly be seen through the chrysalis. You can refer back to last week's post to see what the chrysalis looked like a few days earlier and the week before that to see the caterpillars.


So then the little butterfly started pushing on the chrysalis until he freed himself.


He hung onto the chrysalis for about two hours while he was getting ready to fly. First his wings were a little crumpled.


Then they flattened out...


And finally, he was ready to spread his wings and fly. I was taking pictures with my iphone when he flew and landed right on the corner of it. So I grabbed my dslr and kept shooting!


He flew away right after this never to be seen again, but his friend was still getting ready to fly. When Mason offered his finger, she crawled on. As best I can tell, the one above is male because of the two black spots on the inner veins of his wings. But this one below appears to be female.


Mason gently placed her on one of our zinnias and she stayed around there until she was ready to fly away. I'm happy I get to cross one thing off my photography bucket list. 










And now it's time to share your photos again! There are just a few rules.

  • submit the url of your blog post, not your home page
  • link up a photo that was taken by you
  • include a link back to my blog in your post (you can use the button or a text link if you prefer)
  • visit a few other blogs and leave some comment love 
Okay, now just link up below!

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55 comments:

  1. Nicky @ AwesomevilleJune 7, 2012 at 6:18 AM

    Fantastic shots! Amazing even to capture in photos!

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  2. tinajoJune 7, 2012 at 6:21 AM

    It´s really too freaking awesome - looks amazing! I´d love to take pics like these one day. :-)

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  3. Tamar SBJune 7, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    AMAZING! Such a gorgeous and delicate part of our world - it reminds me of observing this with my class in September! I actually talk about it in my post for today! Great minds think alike!

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  4. SallyJune 7, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    These are awesome pics, Deb! Thanks for sharing this experience.

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  5. Dina LettreJune 7, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    These are truly amazing, Deb. Sam LOVED it!

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  6. JeanneJune 7, 2012 at 6:25 AM

    Deb these photos of the butterfly emerging are absolutely incredible. what a great series of posts and how amazing that you were able to capture the butterfly when it came out. Probably has taken alot of patience watching and being there at the right time. Awesome!!!

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  7. AnonymousJune 7, 2012 at 6:28 AM

    Excellent post and what a lovely thing of nature to be able to observe and photograph! :-))

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  8. LoriJune 7, 2012 at 6:32 AM

    wow, such great captures! They are so beautiful!

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  9. EllieJune 7, 2012 at 6:34 AM

    Wow Deb what amazing shots you got, and how exciting to capture all of that and to share it with us. Thanks so much. They are beautiful :))

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  10. AnonymousJune 7, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    Brilliant photos Deb. So pleased for you that you have crossed it off your bucket list!

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  11. RuthieJune 7, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    These are breathtakingly gorgeous, Deb! Thank you so much for sharing!

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  12. Life with KaishonJune 7, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    Absolutely incredible Deb! I loved watching this miracle of nature occur via your photography. Thank you for sharing.

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  13. Tina´s PicStoryJune 7, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    wow! fantastic pics!!! :)

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  14. Amy BurzeseJune 7, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    How exciting to have witnessed this process. And great shots to document the experience!

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  15. TiffanyJune 7, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    Awesome job Deb, we have done this a few times and it is truly a miracle to watch the transformation. Fabulous captures.

    Tiffany

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  16. Linda KittmerJune 7, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    WOW! You've got some stunning shots here Deb. So wonderful to see your amazing photography.

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  17. RaymondeJune 7, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    It is wonderful how you captured this beautiful butterfly. Your skill and your patience are obvious. Hope you are well. :)

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  18. A wondering starJune 7, 2012 at 7:24 AM

    Very beautiful!
    Amazing to witness a miracle.

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  19. Sherri B.June 7, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    These are spectacular! How amazing that you were able to capture this on film, and witness it with your own eyes. Beautiful!

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  20. Pieces of SunshineJune 7, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    How exciting! Beautifully photographed Deb, a delight to capture and for us to enjoy also.

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  21. AnonymousJune 7, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    That is soooo awesome!! Gorgeous photos.

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  22. KimberlyJune 7, 2012 at 8:16 AM

    I'm so excited that you got to experience this! It is so amazing! And how cool that you got a male AND a female. Now they can go make more butterflies. :) I've read that they come back to where they were "born" to lay their eggs. Here's hoping you get to see more Monarchs this year!

    Oh, and your photos are beautiful!

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  23. SusiJune 7, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    Thanks for sharing the transformation of the Monarch. Your photos are lovely.

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  24. Gina @ Gigi Marie PhotographyJune 7, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    Absolutely MIRACULOUS to see Deb- I'm so happy to were able to do this & capture it. Love showing this to my kids.

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  25. Kristy LifenReflectionJune 7, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    That is so amazing, I must buy a butterfly kit someday when I have children.

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  26. HeatherJune 7, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    These are amazing pictures Deb!

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  27. SusanJune 7, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    Wow, you captured this amazing transformation so beautifully, thank you for sharing it with us. My kids enjoyed this too!

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  28. JaymiJune 7, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    wow those are really beautiful shots! So cool seeing the wings of the butterfly in the cocoon like that ad watching i emerge! really cool!

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  29. DanelleJune 7, 2012 at 10:11 AM

    Beautiful and amazing! My boys loved seeing it too!

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  30. TexWisGirlJune 7, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    just awesome!

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  31. DaenelTJune 7, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    What an amazing experience! I just can't imagine the wonder of it all. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

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  32. Laurel's QuillJune 7, 2012 at 10:40 AM

    Incredible, Deb. how cool that you got to capture it...patience!!! Laurel

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  33. TrinaJune 7, 2012 at 10:55 AM

    Those photos are seriously AMAZING, Deb!! So beautiful and crystal clear, you can see every little detail in perfection! You should try to sell those, you would make a fortune!!!

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  34. JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/June 7, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    I know a bunch of teachers that would enJOY use this series of pictures for science class so, I'm Pinning this to my teacher-in-me board. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. AnonymousJune 7, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    just beautiful, I am going to have to try this sometime. thanks for sharing...

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  36. BethanyJune 7, 2012 at 2:21 PM

    These photos are beautiful and wonderfully captured. My grandma used to keep dozens in jars, watching them hatch.

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  37. Melissa Bliss RichJune 7, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    Wow, fascinating photos. That is just too cool!

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  38. Rachel~Wildflower Photography Studio and a little bit vintageJune 7, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    lovely captures! :)

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  39. ZenaJune 7, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    Amazing captures. I remember having them in jars when I was a girl and watching butterflies emerge from their chrysalides and always was a wonderful experience, thanks for sharing

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  40. Jennifer WoodburyJune 7, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Incredible photos Deb!!

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  41. SusanJune 7, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    Oh my!!! This is just incredible Deb! You did it... yes, that was a great accomplishment. So interesting, and so beautiful. Great pictures too♥

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  42. Susan @ Sunflower StatusJune 7, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    That is SO cool! Such great pictures!

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  43. Jennie LouiseJune 8, 2012 at 11:10 AM

    Awww you know just how much I love butterflies...this is great to capture. Jennie, x

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  44. StephanieJune 8, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    Amazing shots deb! I loved the ones on your instagram but these were beyond fantastic! xoxo

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  45. June KJune 8, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    OMG, I have so enjoyed these posts for the last couple weeks. It was like being in Science class and having a project. Your did a wonderful job with the narratives and photographs. Thanks so much for sharing the lovely butterflies and their flight.

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  46. KimJune 8, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    Wow, Deb. Just wow!!!!

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  47. Mira CrispJune 8, 2012 at 9:18 PM

    WOW, Deb! These are stunning? Amazing? Wonderful? Colorful? Summery? Everything above? :) I am so speechless...

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  48. alexandra s.m.June 8, 2012 at 10:39 PM

    Oh my Deb! I'm sitting here my mouth wide open!
    Your photography is breath taking!
    Thank You so much for sharing this with us!

    Enjoy your week-end.

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  49. LindyLouMac in ItalyJune 9, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    I am so pleased to be back here catching up after my enforced absence. What an amazing opportunity to get this series of photos, stunning.

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  50. Nicoleta_BJune 9, 2012 at 5:37 PM

    Hi, there!
    I found your blog very intresting! A lot of inspiration for myself!!!

    I would like to keep in touch with you. Would you like to follow each others blog on GFC and Bloglovin?

    Lots of love,

    www.nicoleta.me

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  51. TerryJune 9, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    Those are amazing photos. I read your blog all the time and have loved seeing your photos and your PL layouts but when I saw these beautiful butterfly pictures I just had to say awesome job.

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  52. Pieni LintuJune 10, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    Amazing!!! So pretty!!! :)

    I had some problems with linking this time so now it's too late but here is my This or that Thursday blog post if someone wants to visit:

    http://pienilintu.blogspot.fi/2012/06/just-two-of-us.html

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  53. JanetJune 13, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    Sorry that I couldn't make it last week but came back to see your butterflies!!
    Awesome shots Deb! absolutely spectacular!

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  54. HeleneJune 13, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    I'm amazed at your photos...stunning!

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  55. Elaine A.June 13, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    That is simply amazing, Deb. Truly. I'm in awe of your entire record of their life/transfomation, etc. Good job, my friend! Your photos are ridiculously amazing too!! :D

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