Travis, my freshman roommate, and I found several caterpillars in the scrubland surrounding St. Olaf. We took the caterpillars, along with the milkweed they were on, into our room and watched them develop into monarch butterflies. Two died along the way, but two lived. These pictures document the experience.
Caterpillar on milkweed.
Chrysalis on the ceiling.
Chrysalis under window ledge; monarch orange and black are just visible.
Chrysalis under window ledge; colors becoming more defined.
Butterfly is within 24 hours of emerging.
Monarch begins to unfold his wings and dry them.
Further stretching of wings.
The first steps.
Full color.
Human contact.
Travis and Monarch.
Chris and Monarch pin.
Hope you liked the pictures!
Created 9.14.01