My last critter of 2026 has finally emerged, 16 days since forming his chrysalis. It has been a lot cooler so no doubt that caused the longer metamorphosis than his earlier siblings. all of which popped out in 9-11 days. This puts a lot of pressure on Fred (yes, I name my Monarch babies) to get going south on his long journey to Mexico for overwintering. The other challenge he’s facing is we’re due for a nor’easter dumping a lot of rain along with heavy winds – not very conducive to Monarch migration. Fred is… Read Article →
Posts Tagged: butterflies
Monarch #9, last of this year’s brood, flew off to her Great Southern Adventure yesterday afternoon. Here she is just a couple of minutes after emerging: I waited all morning for the emergence, hardly stepping away from the cage as I desperately wanted to see the event. I kept checking every minute to see if I could detect the split. Glanced away for probably 30 seconds and I missed it! Caught the last half of the act, she was pulling her engorged abdomen free and then was dangling uncertainly from the chrysalis shell. From split… Read Article →
Yesterday Monarch #1 emerged, filled its wings, patiently waited for them to stiffen, then flew off for her Great Mexican Adventure! Today? FIVE more emerged and are either already gone or just resting up for a bit more and will be heading out. Once their wings had stiffened I carefully had them climb on my hand so I could safely move them to a bush or branch outside, resting up before they head out. Here’s two of them on my hand! To say I was fascinated is a bit of an understatement. Every year I… Read Article →
I’ve been reading Barbara Kingsolver’s “Flight Behavior” and enjoyed it right from the start with her economical yet meaning-dense phrasing that imparts so much depth into the characters that I could just about sketch them. Imagine my delight when not far along the Monarch butterfly emerged as a central theme! I won’t spoil it for anyone and even though I’m only about a third of the way through I highly recommend it. I’ve been continuing to distribute seed packets at both our local Wild Birds Unlimited store but also at the New England Botanic Garden… Read Article →