The beautiful golden foil-like chrysalis had turned black by yesterday morning. Had the contents died? Was there to be a sad end? When we returned from church at lunchtime the truth became apparent - the butterfly was alive and free! An Oleander Butterfly was the mystery inhabitant. Its wings gradually unfolded and filled out. This morning it was not to be seen, having flown away for good.
Today held treats of its own. Our new town library opened! The crowd patiently waited, the town crier added a touch of old fashioned drama.
Then it was time to enter the doors, past the ribbons, cameras and official party. The town crier's job was done.
Folks young and old were thrilled by everything they saw. The new library offers much more than anticipated, along with the well loved books and wonderful staff. Our youngest two loved it so much they were eager to return again - today - and so we did! In fact both have just asked if we can go again, tomorrow!
Our new library's motto is "Your Library - Your Place". They have definitely succeeded and making us feel very much welcome and at home.
Update: My friend Erin has just posted many photos and details of our new library - you can find then here.
Hi Karen, Am replying to your two lasts posts into one. Are you kidding with those brilliant first photos? with the gold shining tones of the cocoon and then capturing the butterfly - wow. Glad that Miss E seems to be tuned in on the lego front, if you need to borrow any pieces you know where to come to. And lastly, can you please tell Miss O, who seems a very keen cook, that nemish tarts used to be my favourite of all bakery treats. Hope your week is going ok, Renee.
ReplyDeleteLooove the details of that butterfly - and the library pics are fun! :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://tinajoathome.com/
Ahhh the butterfly :) I get teary when we return to our hometown library and visit the children's room....so many precious memories,in the place and in all those pages!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stunning butterfly. Bit in the karl lagerfeld fashion dress. Nice macro's again.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anything better than children being excited about a library. I still remember visiting the library with my father who was an avid reader. Glad you saw the butterfly before it flew away. It's quite a beauty.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful butterfly and what a great new library!! We'll never have too many of those! Terrific captures for the day, Karen!! Thank you for sharing the fun and the beauty!! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteOh my what a beautiful butterfly! We don't have those here, so this was really a treat to see. And it is interesting that the body and eyes look so much like a monarch, and the chrysalis a similar shape. But I just love how it turns that metallic shininess!
ReplyDeleteThis butterfly is so beautiful. Isn't it just incredible the diversity in colors and design in just butterflies! So awesome that you did get to see this after it..??hatched"??. Really amazing. Also just love your new library and bet that you and your family will make good use of this and totally enjoy it. hOpe all is well and remembering you every day!
ReplyDeleteIsn't nature amazing??? A beautiful result!!!
ReplyDeletewow, amazing butterfly!
ReplyDeleteCongratulation with your new library:)
ReplyDeleteAwesome:)
Oh my, Karen, that butterfly is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSuper buttefly picture.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Der Schmetterling ist wunderschön.
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße von Mathilda ♥ ♥
Hello Karen,
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely capture of the butterfly! And your modern Library looks great ... Rich On Books to read :)
Wish you a very good weekend.
Greetings by Heidrun from Augsburg
Beautiful butterfly! I'm so happy to see libraries are still popular. I fear our obsession with electonics will eventually make them extinct.
ReplyDeleteThank you Roan. Our library, as I imagine most these days, caters for both paper and electronic users. In addition to more internet connected computers, it has both ebooks and magazines which can be downloaded from the comfort of your home to your own electronic devise. Some new additions are a PS4 and Xbox with large screens for use in the library. There are internet connected conference rooms, interactive games, puzzles, DVDs along with traditional study books and nooks.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! That butterfly shot is amazing Karen. You captured it perfectly. Have fun at the new library.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Hear ye..hear ye, your new library looks like a wonderful place to explore. Many, many well spent hours will be enjoyed there. There you go with that watercolour app of yours again...the butterfly is magic!!
ReplyDeleteTwo of my favorite things...butterflies and libraries. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteThe library is indeed as wonderful place! Loved the butterfly too - but no app used, just the way it was - by adjusting the aperture setting on the camera.
yes it is fabulous, my kids were there for 2 hrs yesterday and can't wait to go back!
ReplyDeleteKaren
ReplyDeletesome great shots of a most memorable day. Really glad to have shared that moment with you:):) and tickled to see the pics of my darlings, thanks for preserving those moments:) Just put up my pics
http://sevenlittleaustralians.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/library-opening-day-finally-arrives.html
and yes we've already gone back a second time today too. had trouble dragging them out of the library!
Thanks for sharing the "finished" butterfly, Karen!! I'm on the lookout for the first Mourning Cloak butterfly here which typically winters over but it's been so cold all winter and now so wet, I wonder if their numbers will be down?
ReplyDeletehow beautiful that you got to see the butterfly :-)
ReplyDeleteThat butterfly is just beautiful! :)
ReplyDeletethe butterfly is amazing as it that photo of the town Crier~
ReplyDeleteit is also amazing that your library is almost a duplicate in design as our very own built about forty years ago....it is still one of our favourite places to visit!
What a perfect new butterfly. I suppose it had to be gorgeous, coming out of a package like that!
ReplyDeleteLovely library--I can see why the children like it.
So happy to see the resident of that golden chrysalis! Such a beautiful display of the miracle of life.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your new library & it's motto. Glad the kids are enjoying it and USING it so much.
Beautiful images of the butterfly, Karen.
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for your update on the new library.