The day of emergence #phenology

This morning was THE DAY! The chrysalis split and a monarch emerged. The butterfly took several hours as its wings formed and hardened in the warm, humid air. As it moved about and repositioned its feet, first copper brownish and then clearer liquid dripped from the bottom of the split chrysalis.

almost ready to emerge

Photo by J. Harrington

just emerged

Photo by J. Harrington

wings still soft

Photo by J. Harrington

wings drying and firming

Photo by J. Harrington

chrysalis drippings

Photo by J. Harrington

As we stood (being eaten by teenie, tiny mosquitos) watching, we found ourselves wondering about the sensations a butterfly goes through as it morphs from a caterpillar to a winged creature. Do butterflies have any analog to human emotions? Does a monarch experience any fear or thrills as it releases hold on a firm footing and takes its first wingbeats through the air? We know a little about mamas infants and the suckling/nursing instinct. How does that compare with a butterfly's instinct to find nectar in flowers? There are no moms involved when butterflies emerge. Instant adulthood! The birth of a monarch is itself a poem. Always---

Remember

Joy Harjo, 1951

Remember the sky that you were born under,
know each of the star’s stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is the
strongest point of time. Remember sundown
and the giving away to night.
Remember your birth, how your mother struggled
to give you form and breath. You are evidence of
her life, and her mother’s, and hers.
Remember your father. He is your life, also.
Remember the earth whose skin you are:
red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth
brown earth, we are earth.
Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their
tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them,
listen to them. They are alive poems.
Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the
origin of this universe.
Remember you are all people and all people
are you.
Remember you are this universe and this
universe is you.
Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.
Remember language comes from this.
Remember the dance language is, that life is.
Remember.

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