The Mini, Miraculous, Caterpillar
At my family's Sheepherd this year, I got a fun surprise when I found a very small friend, on a tiny wildflower that I was photographing. After snapping a few photos of this cute little guy/gal, (I thought) I brushed it off onto another fauna, before gently pressing the flower into whichever book I happened to be reading at the moment.
The next day, when I opened my book to retrieve the dried flower. A drastically larger, greener, caterpillar actually tumbled out of the pages of my book, right onto my kitchen counter. My first thought was horror, "Oh no, I thought I left you at the top of the mountain!" But then I realized that this little fellow was not just bigger, but very much alive and well. No way! Too cool...
We all know about metamorphosis, hungry caterpillars, and beautiful butterflies. But it was amazing to witness the partial transformation of one, in real time. In less than 24 hours, while pressed between the pages of a hard-cover book, this creature not only lived, but thrived and grew to be at least 120 times bigger.
For my own hippy-dippy self this was a major moment, and I absolutely had to share. It's the same kind feeling that I still imminently get, when I see a little blade of grass or a small weed, poke up through a stone sidewalk or pure concrete. Not only does biology kick trash, but Nature Still Rules, and science will always be king!
- (In reference to my hypothetical growth formula, I am using the guesstimates of about 6 X length, 5 X width, and 4 X height. Don't worry, I'm aware these ratios are meager. But I'd rather under-estimate than over-exaggerate in this instance.) -
- Day ONE -
Below: It's a little harder to find, but squinch-up and look closely at the right side of the picture. The caterpillar is creeping along the outside edges of the flower's purple petals.
- Day TWO -
Above: You can clearly see how large the caterpillar has become. It's eyes, head, body, and legs are all very clear and easily defined.
Below: Another fun look. Keep in mind that the blade of grass this guy/gal is climbing on, is much bigger than the wildflower it was pictured with, on day one.
(This photograph is the sole property of MJ Fisher, or Peacock Girl.
If you have any questions, or are interested in purchasing a print.
I can be contacted through email, at mj@peacockgirl.com
Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!)
If you have any questions, or are interested in purchasing a print.
I can be contacted through email, at mj@peacockgirl.com
Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!)
