Metamorphosis

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This morning I was treated with a front row seat as I watched a Monarch butterfly caterpillar transform into a chrysalis. The process only lasted a few minutes and as I watched I was struck by the quickness and the violence of the transformation. The caterpillar which had been hanging peacefully like an upside-down candycane started shaking and writhing as a small opening in its back appeared. Jade green "goo" started ozing out and encapsulating its body and shortly thereafter the motion stopped and a chrysalis hung motionless.


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