Nate's Discovery

We were out yesterday morning, enjoying the relative cool of the early part of the day, when Nathan made a great discovery.

 

This baby locust was in the process of coming out of his shell - literally!

 

We were fascinated as we watched him emerge from his exoskeleton. His wings unfolded and as they dried, grew bigger and bigger with each passing moment.

 

See? They're still just little nubby things here -

 

And then, in about a minute's time, they begin to take the shape of wings.


Working hard and fast to dry out those wings. As they dry out, they unfold more and more...



And then, VOILA! Wings!



Nathan spent a lot of time with his friend, Buzz, yesterday. He kept checking on him, making sure he was safe in his clear plastic container home. He even brought him some fresh leaves. Can you believe this was that little weak, yellowish, alien-looking thing just yesterday?



Alas, despite all Nathan's loving efforts to make Buzz comfortable in Mom's old almond container, he had a tough decision to make. He told me Buzz was scared. I explained that Buzz might be scared because locusts aren't really made to live in plastic jars. They're made to live outside with their friends and family, the other locusts. In all his compassionate longing for Buzz to live a full and happy life, Nathan carefully and lovingly picked up his little friend, carried him to the front porch, and set him free. Way to go, Nathan. Mommy is so proud of you!