Traveling Hearts Photography

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Life Cycle of a Butterfly {Day 16}

It took a little longer than expected, but we finally have a little metamorphosis action happening. This little guy decided to find his perfect spot and then was busy making his silk button. Shortly after this shot was taken, he went into a "J." ISO is high on the photo as it was night time.

Monarch Preparing Silk Button

ISO 2000 ~ 60mm ~ f/2.8 ~ 1/160 sec

I had to leave for a work trip shortly after this, so I left the care of Eenie, Miney and Moe to my "so not thrilled" husband.

He reported to me that by the end of Day 16, Eenie had formed his chrysalis. By Day 17, Miney had also formed his chrysalis. But sadly, by Day 18, I was informed that Moe was no longer with us :(

Apparently, when my husband brought the second milkweed inside (because they devoured the first one), a lizard hitched a ride. It is our thought that the lizard decided Moe looked like a nice dinner.

So we are mourning the death of our beloved Moe...

Capturing the Moment,

Corrie <3

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Life Cycle of a Butterfly {Day 14}

I'm a little surprised that we do not have at least one chrysalis yet. I'm wondering if being indoors with the air conditioning is making their life cycle take a little longer. According to the typical timeline, they should all have transformed into a chrysalis by now.

Fifth Instar

ISO 800 ~ 60mm ~ f5.6 ~ 1/40 sec

I tried having this guy do a lego measurement like the others, but he was not interested in doing anything but eating. I didn't want to bother him, so we did a side by side comparison of his size. This is with a 6x1 lego.

Fifth Instar

ISO 320 ~ 60mm ~ f/4.5 ~ 1/320 sec

G checking out one of the Caterpillars

ISO 800 ~ 60mm ~ f5/6 ~ 1/160 sec

Yesterday morning we found these three all on top of the same branch. G said they were having a meeting to decide what they were going to do for the day. Then he said they decided on "ring around the rosy." I tend to agree!

The Three Amigos

ISO 800 ~ 60mm ~ f/5.0 ~ 1/50 sec

I've lost count on the number of eggs on the milkweed outside. I think at last count we had 7 or 8. We found the eggs in the strangest spots too... this one was found on top of the milkweed flower. Usually I see them underneath the leaf.

Monarch Butterfly Egg

ISO 320 ~ 60mm ~ f/13 ~ 1/125 sec

Judging by the size of these guys, I'd say we'll have some action happening pretty soon. They start to go through a "wanderlust" phase where they become a little crazy and do some caterpillar gymnastics. This is right before they march off to find a safe place to "J" and then to begin their final stage as a chrysalis.

Capturing the Moment,

Corrie <3