anise swallowtail!

   it was only about a week from the beginning of chrysalis formation to emergence of a butterfly, which took us all by surprise.  we hypothesized that although it was cooler by day in our home, it was warmer by night, and the total average temperature was higher, leading to an accelerated metamorphosis.  when we woke up and checked the chrysalis, i was worried--it had turned black!  within the hour the butterfly had emerged, however, making me realize that the color was due to the translucent chrysalis showing the black wings inside.  the new creature evoked the same feelings in me that my newborns did--it seemed so fragile, crumpled, inward-turned, but with the effortless awe-inspiring beauty that so often comes from a creature whose potential is so different, grander, more complicated, than its present form.  we watched transfixed as it pumped fluid into its wings, letting the air dry its bunchy form into something much more elegant and graceful.  as this was happening, r got out her hs journal and sketched what she was seeing, practicing her writing too.we took it outside--i was already late for work since it emerged as we were walking out the door--and watched its last readying, steadying moments before takeoff.