Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Cloudy day photos

I tried to take some photos (through the binocs) of a mourning dove who decided to just sit on the platform feeder, but I think it's too cloudy and dark today.



I also got a quick picture of my still-not-eclosed monarch chrysalis.

I'm starting to get worried that perhaps the carcinogens seeping up from the tobacco-filled water have hurt him somehow. I tried to dump out as much water as I could, but I had to be really careful not to detach him and there's still some brown murky tobacco water under him. What if he's developmentally impaired? It's been 20 days. LauraHinnJ said hers eclosed in 17. And now it's really chilly today--in the 50s--and a little damp. I'm concerned. He's not even turning dark yet.

I also wanted to post some photos of the babies. Perhaps someone can add captions?

Niblet ______.

Sweet Kitty Kisses ________.

Miss Kitty Claws _________.

7 comments:

LauraHinNJ said...

Hmmm... the color of the chrysalis looks a little funny to me - is it turning yellow on the far side - or is it just this pic? Have you seen any changes in color or translucency?

The cooler weather certainly slows things down - another blogger who had brought her chrysalises inside had them emerging after 8-10 days. Is yours in a sunny spot?

If you have the time it might be worth a look at the monarchwatch.org website - good info and there is also a forum where you can post pics and questions of people who are experienced with monarch raising.

Niblet looks like a happy little bunny - does he share space with ot play with the kitties?

dguzman said...

Laura--I'm not sure if it's just this pic or what. I'll check when I get home. Mine is not in a sunny spot! But it's where it was when the caterpillar chose the spot. Thanks for the site--I'll check it out, and maybe I'll move the 'pillar into the sun.

What if he's ... gulp ... dead?

Yes--Niblet plays with the kitties a lot. He has the run of an area of the living room (he doesn't go on the hardwoods; he stays on two big area rugs), and he and Kisses chase each other around a lot. Clawsie does it once in a while, but she's a little less active (read: chubby).

LauraHinNJ said...

You'll know if it's dead, I think. The pics I've seen online look a really ugly color. Hope that's not the case, of course.

Glad Niblet has kitty friends! Bunnies are fun, aren't they?

Anonymous said...

Niblet sees you.

Sweet Kitty Kisses hears you.

Miss Kitty Claws wants a lap.

dguzman said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
dguzman said...

Laura,
I checked the chrysalis again--no yellow color; it was just the photo. It looks just the same. I tried touching it to see if it would wiggle--no wiggle. I'm worried.

Lynne,
Nice captions!

LauraHinNJ said...

I wouldn't expect it to wiggle.

Have you moved it into a sunny spot?