Transformative

Once again, Robb and I are raising Anise Swallowtail caterpillars, in the hopes that they will thrive and transform themselves into butterflies. 

We haven't seen as many caterpillars as usual on our fennel plants, so this year I've been bringing foliage with eggs attached in to our butterfly hatchery. Robb and I figure that by bringing them inside, we protect them from predation. 

At this moment, we have one chrysalis, one caterpillar who is in the writhing process of attaching itself to a branch in preparation for turning into a chrysalis, and a variety of caterpillars in various stages of growth.

To me, this is a truly magical process.