Monarch Butterfly Update

If you have seen posts below you will know that Meg and I have been keeping an eye out for butterflies around our property and have been helping some monarch caterpillars safely pupate and fly off as beautiful monarch butterflies.  The series of pix below shows the pupation process.  It starts by the caterpillar "gluing" itself in a vertical position.  While hanging down, it holds itself in a "J" position for some time.  In this case, I think it was about 16 hours or so.  Then without much warning, it straightens up and begins pupation.  This process is not only amazing to watch but happens quite quickly in 5 minutes or so.  The pictures below are culled from over 2300 pictures my camera took in time lapse photography mode over many hours.  If you want to view this in stop action video mode, please go to the BRFAL Facebook page since this blog site does not accommodate videos.  I hope to get some time lapse pix of the butterfly emerging from the pupa, although we will be doing some traveling so we may miss it.  If I do get it I will share it with you.