This process isn't as interesting to fly fishers as the emergence of a dun from a nymph on the water's surface. This is a point in the mayfly's development at which it's temporarily safe from the trout, but it's interesting to watch up close anyway.
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The light shuck on the left has already been abandoned. The darker fellow on the right is our subject.
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This is kind of a precarious position. I wonder what kind of grip that shed exoskeleton has on the rock. It seems that on a steeper surface it would be easy for the insect to lose its balance at this point and tumble into the water.
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I was surprised how quickly it goes from that tucked-in, squeezing position to a tyical adult pose. I didn't wait a long time between the last picture and this one; the mayfly just righted itself very quickly once it was far enough out. The wingtips aren't quite dry yet, though.
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