It's a boy!

On Saturday, the chrysalis was still green like before, although it did seem slightly lumpier in the middle. It twitched when a friend blew gently on it. Today--surprise! Hubby was on his way to work and came back in to tell me that the butterfly had emerged. I watched it for long time while it sat there, gently folding and unfolding (just slightly) its wings and gaining strength.

Eventually the breeze was too much for it, and it flitted down to the ground and then to some weeds under the car to sun itself further. The large yellow spots indicate that this baby's a male black swallowtail butterfly. What an amazing thing that those caterpillars, who just two weeks ago were munching the parsley, are now emerging as these beautiful creatures. Now, on to planting some more flowers and parsley for our new friends. Namaste, little butterfly.