Just Another Monarch Monday Update

Today we have 11 good-sized caterpillars, some getting ready to spin the silk and get ready to make their chrysalis. This little guy was  bugging another chrysalis.  You can see it through the glass top of the butterfly house in the upper right hand corner.  I had to separate the two by taping a leaf between him and the chrysalis because I have heard of caterpillars really doing damage to a resting chrysalis. 

He seems to be looking around for a place to spin.

Here's two guys out to lunch together, just about meeting nose to nose. 

Now I have 5 chrysalises that will be opening in about 5-7 days,  6 tiny cats about 1/4 inch long, and five eggs ready to pop. That's a far cry from last years count at 282 eggs, cats, and chrysalises.  I'm kind of a little disappointed, but it will be a lot less work this year. Everyone in the area has the same story.