Salamander
Fire Walking

Where's Waldoette?
Fri Oct 01 2010

Last night, we suddenly observed a lot of color developing in the chyrsalis all at once. In a matter of a few hours, we went from green to compressed butterfly.

As I write this, Waldoette is busy finishing pumping up her wings and drying out. She's definitely female.

By the time you are reading this Waldoette should have started her dangerous migration south to Mexico. I just saw a couple of monarch butterflies two days ago (before the monsoons hit yesterday) so she's still within her window of opportunity. Wish her luck.

8 Comments

From:
Yetzirah (Legacy)
On:
Fri Oct 01 2010
I've known about this process since elementary school, but for some reason, seeing this transformation has confirmed to me all that I did not appreciate the miraculous nature of it at ALL.

The swiftness of some of the steps boggles the mind.

Thanks SO much for sharing it!

Bon Voyage Miss Waldo!
From:
Allimom (Legacy)
On:
Fri Oct 01 2010
how can you tell Waldoette is a she?
Alli
From:
BakeACake2 (Legacy)
On:
Fri Oct 01 2010
The male has two black dots on its bottom wings. The female doesn't and has big thick veins. Yes, it is a female!! This is beautiful! I see them flying all over in the campground all the time. And if you have a butterfly bush, wow, they love that!
From:
CatControlled (Legacy)
On:
Fri Oct 01 2010
Good luck, Waldoette! A safe journey to you!
From:
404Error (Legacy)
On:
Fri Oct 01 2010
Good luck, Waldoette! Watching you transform has been a pleasure!
From:
Justaman (Legacy)
On:
Fri Oct 01 2010
Hope she makes it safely.
From:
KiwiKimi (Legacy)
On:
Fri Oct 01 2010
Good luck, Waldoette! She's lovely.
From:
SitsWithAnAddingMachine (Legacy)
On:
Fri Oct 01 2010
Bon voyage, Waldoette!

And thanks for taking us along on the wondrous journey, Salamander! I've never witnessed such a thing.

Salamander Fire Walking

Where's Waldoette?Fri Oct 01 2010

Salamander
Fire Walking

Where's Waldoette?
Fri Oct 01 2010