The Monarch chrysalis is one of nature's most beautiful
creations.
This butterfly wears a crown of gold on jade
green.
About 24 hours before the emergence of the adult butterfly,
the chrysalis
becomes completely transparent, revealing
the new butterfly inside.
Breaking free of the chrysalis, a Monarch greets the world.
After struggling free of the chrysalis, the Monarch immediately
begins to inflate its wings
with a reservoir of fluid contained
in its swollen abdomen.
As the wings inflate, the body of the butterfly attains
its normal proportions.
When the wings are fully inflated,
the insect expels any excess fluid and rests.
In a few hours, with its wings dried and hardened,
the Monarch will take wing on its first flight.