Fly, Butterfly!

MY friend and neighbor just discovered these beautiful monarch caterpillars in her yard, and created an amazing haven for them to flourish into winged beauties.  She placed the caterpillars on 'milkweed' plant, which is their primary food and sustenance.  They then took refuge in the makeshift home she created, as they transformed into pupa(chrysalis).  The metamorphosis from caterpillar to a gorgeous butterfly has been immortalized in so many stories and legends, and teaches kids and adults alike to appreciate the wonders of our world, up close, in detail.

Currently, the caterpillars are in the "chrysalis" stage(2nd and 3rd pictures),  which is between the larva and the adult stage. When they reach adulthood, and grace our gardens, they will be one of the important pollinators in our food chain.

Simply amazing!