Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar Dilemma : Part 3

Things are moving forward at the moment. Four of the caterpillars have turned into the chrysalis stage. Three others are hanging, waiting to turn. I managed to video one but it was slightly out of focus. The other three changed when we weren't around. It's silent and quickly over, so you have to be fortunate to catch it.

A special hi to G, who's been watching progress on this site with the caterpillars but been unwell for a little while. All the best.

Three chrysalis caught here, along with some hungry caterpilars

One in the process of settling down. They wriggle at this point

As above

The final chrysalis 

To follow the series from the beginning, simply click here.
For the next in the series, please click here.

Orca

Some friends were at the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand and saw two Orca swim by. They followed in a boat and this is one of the photos they took. It would have been a great time to swim with them but apparently a person wearing a black wet suit and flippers could look like a seal. Although not generally a threat to humans, it would be very brave to try something like that.

Although often called killer whales, they are more closely related to dolphins. They are intelligent, sophisticated hunters and have no predators. This day they may have been after sting rays.

Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar Dilemma : Part 2

The moving of the caterpillars inside seems to have worked so far. The evenings in autumn are cooler so the warmer temperature inside the house should help them.

Four of the caterpillars have now attached themselves to a leaf and curled up ready to embark on the  chrysalis (or pupa) stage. Two of them are in the top picture and one each below. The lower pic shows the first one to go. Hopefully all will go well for them. Part three will reveal all.

To follow the series from the beginning, simply click here.
For the next in the series, please click here.