A Beautiful Sculpture in the Garden

This is a very short post to share what I found in the garden. For those who don’t know what they are looking at, this is a monarch chrysalis. The identifying features are:

1. the jade like color, which is the amorphous goo of the caterpillar body liquefying and turning into a butterfly. The chrysalis is actually clear in color.

2. the yellow, pearl-like dots near the top, and

3. the large size. The monarch is among the largest butterflies in North America.

It is attached to the branch of this primrose by a silk web that the caterpillar creates specific for this purpose.

How did I miss signs and sights of caterpillars? I have been looking at the milkweed almost daily for signs of eating since the adult monarch laid her eggs. I have seen nothing. Evidently, someone survived. The monarchs are so mysterious, so difficult to find. That is a good thing though. The ability to exist hidden gives them even more tools for survival.

I am so ecstatic. The monarchs are here. They are surviving here. The habitat Maala Bwia (Mother Earth) brought back to this land, with the help of me and many, many wonderful people, is working. It is helping provide more food, roosting and nesting options for monarchs as they make their iconic migration across the west. Chiokoe uttesia te hahamevu in arapo bwe’u baise’eboli. Thank you big butterfly for coming to my home. Se enchi nake. I appreciate you.