Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Giant Swallowtail Butterfly egg hatched!

I'm a mom! Well, kind of. LOL It was so exciting! We were looking at the egg this morning and I told Mike I'm sure it is going to hatch soon and it did! While we were looking at it again this afternoon it was hatching right before our eyes! I brought it in until it is a little bigger. I don't want anything to eat it. Right now it is only 1/8 inch long. Even though I have a super macro setting on my camera, it was still hard to get photos. But, here are a few.

This first one is the egg this morning. You can see the caterpillar inside because the egg is no longer yellow, it is clear.

At 2:41 this afternoon it is hatching. Sorry so dark. Couldn't get it in a good light.:

At 2:46 it is out of the egg:

At 3:18 it is eating it's egg sac:
I can't wait until it is a little larger. I will put it back on the tree. I really want to see the chrysalis! If it makes it that long, I will bring the chrysalis back in until the butterfly emerges.
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12 comments:

  1. AwtemNymfFebruary 24, 2009 at 7:40 PM

    Look at you go! How neat this is for you and I as the reader- learning about all this! Nice pictures! I can't wait to see the caterpillar emerge into a butterfly. You're a great Mom!
    Hugs!

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  2. Jane's Fabrics and QuiltsFebruary 24, 2009 at 7:45 PM

    I love you nature pictures!

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  3. UnknownFebruary 25, 2009 at 6:47 AM

    That is really cool! I just love the pictures.

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  4. Serena LewisFebruary 25, 2009 at 3:58 PM

    WOW! These pics are AWESOME, Carla! It's great to know that you are watching over it....I sure hope it makes it to the butterfly stage.

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  5. Denise RidelFebruary 25, 2009 at 10:30 PM

    ooh, i really like to look and wait for the transformation... Very nice your blog! I'm lover of nature!
    Sorry my english,
    beijos

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  6. Norma Soulet (AZArtist)February 25, 2009 at 11:20 PM

    Carla,

    What great photos! Lucky you that you saw that on that leaf. Amazing that you caught the caterpillar emerging from the egg.

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  7. Kimonos and Sushi(OLD BLOG)February 26, 2009 at 1:27 AM

    Love the pics of the new arrival. You have been so bust since my last visit.
    Andrea

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  8. sandyFebruary 26, 2009 at 12:37 PM

    Before I worked my way down my blogroll list I was wondering if the egg had hatched yet! Yeah..congrats... I hope you have help around there with the baby...ha.

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  9. Linda FlemingFebruary 27, 2009 at 1:57 AM

    Marvelous photo, Carla! I can't wait to see what happend next. Hope you keep us updated on this little cutie.

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 5:45 PM

    Great news Carla!! Congrats and I hope this little sweetie makes it to a beautiful butterfly. I'll be watching!

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  11. JudiAFebruary 27, 2009 at 7:23 PM

    How exciting, and you are being much too hard on your photography -- those are great pictures. I've never seen anything like that and I look forward to the rest of the story!

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  12. Shashi NayagamMarch 1, 2009 at 3:47 PM

    Awesome pictures Carla.

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