Tuesday, January 03, 2006
A new Monarch

This shot is of a new Monarch butterfly, hatched about 1 or 2 hours before. It was drying out its wings, but could already fly. It must need time to sort out its multicellular vision, as it was blind as a caterpillar and couldn't see much as a chrysalis. Now it can fly, dodge enemies, find swan plants, find a mate, find nectar in flowers, and if necessary, fly 1000 miles to winter over and return in spring. Does it still remember how to walk on a leaf with 16 feet?