12th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Monarch Butterfly moments after emerging from pupal casing

This Monarch Butterfly has just emerged from its pupal casing where it underwent the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. It must be very careful to not fall before its wings are dry, otherwise the wings will not form properly and it will be unable to fly.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2014
Date Uploaded: 11.2014
Photo Location: Palm Harbor, Florida, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D600
Copyright: © Melissa James