To the sky!

After much anticipation, the time for Biggest Brother's caterpillars to emerge as butterflies has arrived!

First out...Abby

Sadly, Abby emerged with only half of a functional left wing. And that half had a significant tear as well. Brother decided to keep her and take care of her for the remainder of her lifespan, rather than allow her to become ant food.

Everest was a little slower to emerge. I let Brother eat his dinner in the formal dining room to watch the coming event.

It took much longer than we expected.

For a full 8 hours Everest wiggled and writhed in a spectacle that I had never seen before.

The chrysalis literally looked like a swinging punching bag.

Then, finally!

We were relieved to see that Everest had two perfectly formed Painted Lady wings.

Brother kept them both for the day, then took Everest outside to release him that evening.

(I realize they are probably not a male and female...we just went with the names he gave them.)

Everest sat for a brief photo op, then skipped off over the fence and was gone.

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But the true highlight of the day came later! We had observed Abby flopping around in the cage in failed attempts to fly, and assumed she would never be able to be released. But after much hoping on praying on Biggest Brother's part...he was convinced she could do it.

He took her out of the cage. And we watched with joy and astonishment as she, with her mangled half a wing...

took to the sky!!!