Birth is Imminent

Last Tuesday, the Monarch caterpillar that I'd brought in from the garden became a pupa. This week, I've been watching it for changes and signs that within that tiny emerald sac, the liquid goo was miraculously becoming a butterfly. I worried that it would have finished its metamorphosis and emerge yesterday.

I worked all day yesterday and was away from home. I actually considered taking the bowl to work with me so I wouldn't chance missing it. As soon as I got home last night, I ran into the dining room to check on it. Still the same gorgeous green with the glistening gold spots. Whew!

But then I started worrying (and still am) that The Big Event would happen this Friday or Saturday, when Mom and I are traveling to Cleveland. I really hope I don't have to take that bowl with us on our trip, but I just might do that. I do NOT want to miss this!

This morning, I checked the chrysalis and it was different. It has started to dull on the outside and on one side, I can see the dark colors of the wings through the casing. Woo hoo!!!! There's a butterfly in there and it's close to beginning to make its way into this world.

I moved it outside on the patio under the shade of the Trumpet Vine-covered pergola. I'll be checking on it about every half hour and will keep you posted on the pre-birth events. I have no idea how long it will be until we see the baby butterfly, but I intend to be there and record it, so you can see it, too.

EDIT: Upon further research, I see that it takes approximately 24 hours after the change in outside appearance for emergence to begin. This could get really interesting . . .