You may remember Liberace.
Colourful, vibrant and vivacious. My caterpillar, Liberace.
A couple of weeks ago I showed you a video of Liberace as he was just hatching out of his shell. After a few weeks of eating, growing, eating growing, pooping, eating and growing, Liberace cloaked himself in a glittery chrysalis.
And a few days ago, he emerged. And I happened to catch it all on video.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
And by "happened to catch" I mean I woke up early on the morning I knew it was going to emerge and sat beside the chrysallis for 6 hours until it happened.
Yeah he was late, and the opening act of a fly crawling across the counter was kindda lame, but when he finally came out, Liberace put on a spectacular show.
Nature. Gotta love it. It's a complete freak show.
Learn more about Monarchs at The Monarch Project.
JeannieB
Beautiful! Well done! Wouldn't it be wonderful if a very tiny camera could be placed on a butterfly. to follow it on it's journey.
Jan In Waterdown
So very beautiful and gentle! Thank you m' dear! Did you know Lee Valley carries a stop action camera for photographing nature?
Btw, I'm assuming you went to Christie last week and we can expect to hear/see all 'bout your new treasures?
Jan In Waterdown
Also, btw, I meant to ask if you got a tad misty eyed when Liberace flew away and left home?
Karen
I was going to go to Christie's (of course) but ended up not going so I could get some stuff done around here. It's more the Spring show I go to anyway, but I do love the fall one too! ~ karen
Susan
Beautiful video, beautiful music and beautiful birth! I hope the monarch project does go viral because it's becoming crucial. Here in PEI, the kingdom of the potato, I planted as many bird, butterfly and bee-friendly plants as possible, have seen one straggly cabbage butterfly, no moths at night, no bats, no honey bees and no swallows. They've all gone the way of the dodo bird on this wonderful, pesticide-laden island.
Audrey
Karen, like so many others, I've put down my coffee to watch the miracle of Liberace's birth. Thank you so much for patiently capturing it. Milkweed is a must in all our gardens.
kate-v
How she's all folded up inside the chrysalis! and then unfolds! - nature's origami -
Melissa in North Carolina
I'm in awe of this tiny miracle. I can't imagine what it was like for you to witness this in person. Thank you for making us aware of the Monarchs. So beautiful. Thank you, Karen.
Fred Barrett
I watched it when I got up this morning. It's a wonderful way to start the day!
Mary Werner
Amazing tiny little life that I would have missed without your camera - thanks for doing this and the music with Liberace opening his wings was perfect! Actually got misty eyes watching it unfold. THANK YOU for a gentle, beautiful reminder that all life is important to one life. What a glorious world we life in.
Jane
Hi Karen,
This was a great post! My sister-in-law actually owns a butterfly farm in Florida. They have a lot of fun and educational information on their website. You can even purchase butterflies for weddings, school events, anniversaries, etc. You can find their website at Shady Oak Butterfly Farm.
pat barford
Uhh - maaaazing! I'm all misty over my coffee. Thank you for a beautiful and inspiring start to my day.
Patti
Jaw dropped, stunned. Wow, that was beautiful!
Phyllis Kraemer
Hey Karen!...you are amazing!
Heather
Stunning. Maybe you can get a gig with National Geographic in your spare time. :) Thanks for sharing.
Kelly
Absolutely fascinating, awesome and amazing!!!! Just sat here with my coffee and viewed this stunning miracle of nature. I also enjoyed the delightful music you chose .....so relaxing and calming. Karen....you are just as awesome as this beautiful butterfly....thank you for making my morning so delightful!
And I know this is off topic but I had a chance to view the article in Canadian Living magazine yesterday and your kitchen is as amazing as this elegant butterfly I just witnessed emerging from it's chrysalis. I guess you can say your kitchen was a bit like a caterpillar turning into a monarch butterfly.
Karen
Ha! You're right. :) Never thought of it that way. Thanks Kelly. ~ karen!
Mel
Thank you for sharing this. It was beautiful.
mayr
Oh honey. The loveliness.
Gratitude.
Beckie
Awesome video!
While I never found any eggs on the milkweed, I did have a monarch in my garden yesterday. I will let the milkweed grow and keep looking for eggs.
Carolyn
What a closeup! Amazing!
As I type, I am waiting for my fourth out of five chrysalises to open...we have released three gorgeous butterflies so far and have been able to share it with many friends over social media. Tons of admirers say they will do it next year - it has gone viral! Will send you a release pic soon. Thanks Karen!
Jody
Thank you!
Gina
Amazing!