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Showing posts with the label butterfly

Monarch Butterfly Painting

This monarch hanging from the chrysalis was done in pen and ink and watercolor. Prints of this are now for sale in my Etsy store. https://www.etsy.com/listing/498244106/monarch-butterfly-print-pen-and-ink-and?ref=shop_home_active_1

Frog and Butterfly

We have some very large bullfrogs on our property and yesterday I saw three sitting in the shade of a maple that grows on the edge of the pond. I wanted to get a photo of one of the monsters and while I was fiddling around with my camera and trying to get into a good position, I noticed something sticking on its skin near the frog's mouth. I figured it was a blade of grass but when I finally got a closer look I saw it was a spring azure butterfly. I couldn't believe the frog didn't eat it's friend. Blame it on the extreme heat or the frog had just ate a very large meal. We are in a moderate drought so there is the possibility that the butterfly was getting a much-needed drink off the frogs moist skin. Much better than getting your feet muddy near the edge of the pond. And yes, I do plan on using this photo for a drawing/painting :)

Monarch Caterpillar Entering the Chrysalis Stage

Over the last two and a half weeks we have had fun watching seven monarch caterpillars we were raising in a "critter tank" complete their life cycles to become beautiful butterflies. Although we did this several years ago we never saw a caterpillar enter the chrysalis stage. When we saw the first caterpillar transform we were amazed and when the second one was close to changing I made sure I had my camera set up. This isn't the best video--for extra light Gena was directing a small incandescent lamp at the caterpillar--but it shows the transformation fairly well. That black thing that fell off towards the end of the video was it's butt! The entire process took three and half minutes and I've been told from one person that this caterpillar was slow and they've clocked the transformation in one minute. If you want to learn more about our experience follow the link below to our lastest Lifestyle 2000 article. As always Gena did a great job writing it. The ...