A swallowtail caterpillar preparing, as it consumes the leaves of a fennel plant, for its potential transformation into a swallowtail butterfly.
We found many of these little fellows in our yard - they like fennel plants. Life is hard on them, though, as gophers like the fennel plant as well. Birds, on the other hand, like the swallowtail caterpillar, and it is not unusual to see the caterpillar's numbers dwindle from day to day. Rescuing a few of these guys, we placed them in a butterfly incubator, along with a daily supply of fresh fennel. In time, with suspended chrysalis, they performed their transformation dance, eventually emerging as swallowtail butterflys. Life renewed, our pleasure fulfilled, we granted them their well earned freedom, from their safe confines, into the landscape of our front yard.
What an envigorating experience it was, to see an aspect of the handiwork of God, creator and designer of the natural realm. The integrated complexity of even a small section of the ecosystem we live in is truly amazing. Yet not even the slightest motion of a cog, nor the barest turning of a wheel, goes without notice, or approval, of the One who created it.
How wondrous is their transformation... a renewal of sorts... life anew. Hope. Hope for what is to come. From the cursed bondage of corruption, to the hope of the future of glory, we rest assured.
(also ref. Imago Articulus & WeeklyShot)
- photograph © 2006 A. R. Lopez
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