Hello Monarch butterfly

This caterpillar chose the underside of a the porch railing to become a chrysalis and gave me great view of its transformation into a Monarch butterfly.

The pupa

When it became dark, you could see the wings.

Hello, gorgeous!

Then it dropped to a leaf and began testing its wings.

Good night.

Caterpillar settles in for transformation

Frit face

This morning I happened to spot a Gulf Fritillary caterpillar beginning its J-turn to become a chrysalis. I hope it survives to become a butterfly.

This caterpillar decided to stay on fence with the passion vine it had been eating.

I went inside to give the dog a bath and came back to find this. Wow, that happened quicker than I expected.

Here's another caterpillar still eating.

Spring beginnings: monarchs and cardinals

Monarach pupa found under a bench I was planning to paint. Now I have to wait until the butterfly emerges.

Sorry this is such a bad pic. But I didn't want to disturb the baby cardinals. I think there are three in this nest at Sheldon Lake.