There is some serious pupation going on here. Went out this morning to take photos of some cardinals, and as I looked up there was an odd shape dangling from almost the middle of my screen door frame. Upon inspection I found a monarch cocoon. This small, exquisitely decorated ornament dangled proudly for the sun to catch the light on the tiny gold dots making it sparkle. How lucky to be able to watch it’s progress in plain view.
I have repeatedly told my friend Beda, ( http://anhinga.wordpress.com ) that she was so lucky to have monarch pupas. She gets a lot of them. I see the larval stage, but never the chrysalis. So now I get to watch firsthand, the progression of the pupa that should take two weeks.
good source for info: http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/monarch_butterfly.htm
So I am feeling a bit excited watching my proud dangler. And of course, the updates will be here… Oh, and here is my handsome cardinal!
Abbe's world of wildlife 
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November 28, 2008 at 8:38 pm
anhinga
Congratulations! Finally. Don’t forget, when the crysalis starts turning black and translucent, keep a close eye. Maybe you won’t miss the “coming out” moment as I have each time. I’ll just pour a quick cup of coffee and be right back. NO! They are so fast when the make their minds up. I know you’ll get the pictures. Can’t wait.
November 29, 2008 at 4:00 am
Tabbie
Wow! Nice shots of both the crysalis and the cardinal. Life is so cool. Here you have examples of two very different life forms, yet both involve flying and wings. 🙂