(KK day)
My connection this month is so much more than a connection of the heart kind to the photo itself
and rather to an experience. This male Black Swallowtail debuted last week. Yes this has happened before,
but . . . this was different.
In fact it was nothing short of miraculous. You see, it was a chrysalis that looked much like this one
only it was on the frame of the butterfly enclosure and it had pupated there. . . 5. . . months ago!
And have I mentioned that the typical time frame for a swallowtail to emerge after pupation is more
like 2 weeks.
And honestly I think the only reason I noticed it was because I had put the Tersa Sphinx Moth caterpillars in the tent on a stalk of Pentas I cut from the plant, because they were eating faster than I could pick the leaves.
I had to wait a bit before releasing him outside as it was raining cats and dogs and after being asleep for 5 months I sure wanted to give him as much of a fighting chance as possible. It was last Thursday . . . and as soon as the monsoon rains stopped the skies parted and the sun came out. Heading out for a football game and knowing that we wouldn't be back until dark, I took him outside where he could rest until he was ready to take flight.
And much to my surprise, again, there he still was . . . completely covered in beautiful, sparkly, dew drops.
Right where I had left him. After a little photo shoot, he let me pick him up and I took him to a sunny spot on the trailing purple lantana to sun and dry himself. It wasn't long before he flew off.
Can you imagine if I had given up hope that he would ever emerge and removed it from the enclosure?
Yep, these photos, this happening, just remind me to not give up hope during those times when hope feels
lost. Not the hopeful "wishing" kind of hope, but the confident expectation . . . the trusting God for
the results kind of hope.
Because hope is still moving forward even when you feel weary and uncertain and gives life to things that
are so questionable, an outline of sorts to things we cannot see . . .
. . . and waiting for them with patience.
Love, Kim
Fantastic story Kim! Thanks for sharing it and the photos rock too :)
ReplyDeleteBEautiful series… the link to I Heart Macro is still open if you'd like to share.
ReplyDeleteThese are such lovely images! You should think about printing out a book of your pics --if you have not already done so. They are THAT fantastic.
ReplyDeletegreat post and photos!
ReplyDeleteSuch peaceful, beautiful photos. Just lovely. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing these stories! You have such a tender touch and heart! Love the picture of it on your thumb!!
ReplyDeletesuch a "feel good" post Kim-thank you so much
ReplyDeleteKathy
What an amazing heart connection this month, Kim. What you have drawn out of this story is powerful. Thank you for sharing the story, and the beautiful images that go along with it. It needed all of them!
ReplyDeleteOh I am in love with your images and what a lovely story...hope is sometimes all we have!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful - the photos, the journaling...wow.
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely - both the story,the quote and the images!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Beautiful images and quote too!
ReplyDeleteOh Kim, this post hits me right in the perfect place today...beautiful, both your words and your images! What a gorgeous butterfly...he just needed a little more time. <3
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures,and I like the texture in your last one.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. We raised a few butterflies a couple years ago and had a blast watching them and capturing their photos. So very pretty!!
ReplyDeleteBoy, how I needed to read this today! There is a huge area of my life that I feel will never improve, never change. Miracles still happen, and this butterfly emerging after 5 months is miraculous in my book. It is God's message to remain hopeful, giving signs like this to encourage us. Beautiful images and message. :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing PHC this month Kim. I needed that reminder of hope. So beautiful and your love shines through.
ReplyDeleteThese are all just gorgeous, what a beautiful job you've done.
ReplyDeleteYour writing is amazing Kim, as are these photos of this little butterfly's journey. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting hope into such a glorious definition. When you said hope is still moving forward...powerful words Kim. I need to remember this♥
ReplyDeleteThis is such an amazing story, Kim, and I think the 'life lesson' you learned is what it's all about. Lovely!
ReplyDeletexo
I love that saying 'hope whispers'
ReplyDeleteYou've written a very thoughtful post Kim and accompanied with those fantastic photgraphs it is just beautiful ;D
Oh, such lovely images! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd what a superb quote!
What a wonderful story of hope and perserverance -- what we can learn from nature! Your images are lovely! A perfect photo-heart connection.
ReplyDeleteA great story and an inspiring quote. Coming here is always an inspiration - both in terms of your words and your images.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you shared the love up-close with I Heart Macro:-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post !
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos and quote !
Nice week,
Sylvia
Simply gorgeous, in awe and such beauty.
ReplyDelete"Not the hopeful "wishing" kind of hope, but the confident expectation . . . the trusting God for
ReplyDeletethe results kind of hope." yes, Kim, yes!
O O O 5 months! I am amazed and in awe. What a God we serve. A fab message of hope.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much here! I love the photos...you capture the detail and the delicate, fragile beauty so perfectly. And it is soul-soothing to tune into the great stories God tells us each day, in so many ways. It's an honor to share in your window to His heart!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing this is, and don't you love how nature can give us these amazing lessons!!! Beautiful shots Kim
ReplyDeleteI have learned so much from you about this process. Lovely photos and how do you get them to sit on your fingers and hands like you do is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteKim, your words of hope are complimented by a wonderful story and fabulous photos. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots! I think my favourite is the last one: love those blues and purples.
ReplyDeletehappy sigh Kim. first Ive always loved that quote. I have it written down for use at some time. what a story and such beauty you have captured. xo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture series you show :) Hanne Bente
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful PHC this month Kim and of course your pictures are stunning.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience, gorgeous photos and an extremely beautiful post! Thank you for sharing Kim!
ReplyDeleteI have been inspired today by your story and by your beautiful photographs.....Sometimes we have to hold on to HOPE for dear life....Thank you so much....
ReplyDeleteOh wow..beautiful series.. I had a similar experience this spring. I had kept a spicebush swallowtail in the garage last fall after I was told the last brood overwinters. I had breast cancer surgery and put him on the porch in the sun in May and I looked and there it was beautiful...made my day as I sat recovering on the porch...Michelle
ReplyDeleteMy post about the spicebush who came in July and stayed till May...
ReplyDeletehttp://ramblingwoods.com/2013/05/20/nature-notes-212-beautiful-and-graceful-varied-and-enchanting-small-but-approachable-butterflies-lead-you-to-the-sunny-side-of-life-and-everyone-deserves-a-little-sunshine-jeffrey-glassber/
What a fabulous story! So glad he made it! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful message Kim. And your photos are amazing.. LOVE all of them.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
I love what you wrote here. I needed that. (o:
ReplyDeleteWow what an amazing miracle you were able to witness with this stunning butterfly. That is just awesome.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs and inspirational words to accompany them!
ReplyDelete