Here Come the Monarchs!

We have 11 Monarchs.....4 boys and 7 girls. It must be this house.  There's always more girls....more girl cats, more girl bunnies, more girl butterflies, more granddaughters, and only daughters. The grandchildren are enjoying them as much as I am. We had one little chysalis that I was worried about because I squished the caterpillar a little bit, but that particular chrysalis eclosed perfectly and all the butterflies are fine and eating.

I have never had a chrysalis look like this, so I was worried it wouldn't be ok. Even the grandchilren noticed that something was wrong with it. Many times each and every day I told it how beautiful it was.  Well, it opened and it is perfect! 

Lily very carefully enjoying the beautiful little creature.

They don't seem to eat very much unless coaxed, but I have help with that.  You can see their proboscis coming down from their heads which they use like a straw to drink. 

Conversations with Lily about the butterflies

Lily does a good job at getting them to eat and she is very gentle with them. 

Two tables of 4. They do love the honeydew better than watermelon. They also like water with a little bit of organic honey mixed in.  We've got to get them to eat before we release them into this heat. 

There are still more chrysalises left to open. Another Lady Monarch graced us with a few eggs the other day. According to an article I read a few days ago, a surge in Monarchs is expected in August. We will be ready!

Monarch Moments

Lots of action going on today in the butterfly house

Cuddling

Playing hide and seek on the lattice ~ Peek a boo!

Put your head on my shoulder.

Found a spot on a stem to get ready to form his chrysalis 

Hanging in "J"s to get ready for the last molt

It sheds its skin for the last time

Added Chrysalises!

New Chrysalises

Find the 4 Caterpillars

I talked about kind of squishing a little caterpillar against the lattice by mistake when I was changing the leaves several days ago. I have a chrysalis that looks strange and I am watching it to see how it will develop. This one may be from the caterpillar that got squished. Eeeek. So sorry!  Even my little granddaughters notice the difference and asked what was wrong with it. 

Final count today. 

Butterflies Released   5

Chrysalises 18

Caterpillars 5

Three Little Ladies and One Man

Today I released 4 beautiful healthy butterflies, 3 females and one male. They left today about noon: Blue-eyes, Charlie, Darling, and Elizabeth.

This female returned all afternoon taking nectar from the milkweed plants. Maybe she will come back some day and leave her eggs here.

There are 11 Chrysalises, 5 big caterpillars, 6 medium caterpillars, 5 butterflies released.