Rearing the Monarch Butterflies for the summer is over for this year. The last three chrysalis cracked open, and the butterflies emerged.
This male was the last one to hatch. I woke up in the morning to find him hanging from the top of the cage.
Meanwhile, another one had hatched as well. He was in the release cage. I tried to determine when to place the caterpillars in this cage so they go into the cocoon stage in the release cage. It just makes it easier for me so I don't have to handle them. I can just hang the cage top on a hook on the porch and allow them to hang until they can fly.
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Two beautiful males and one female were the last to hatch. The males have two dark dots on the lower wings that the females don't. This female stayed on the hosta flower branch for about an hour before she flew off to the garden.
This one landed on one of the zinnias near the pond. I think its wings needed a little more time to strengthen. I am really going to miss seeing them flitting around the garden scape. They will be flying south very soon.
Another one of my favs will also be leaving this week for their journey south. The males have already left, and so have all the juveniles. The only one coming to the feeder is this large female. She is very used to us being close to the feeder and will often fly onto the porch and examine us up close. She often gives us a little chirp or two before flying back to the gardens.
The leaves are beginning to change as nighttime temps continue to drop lower. Some have even begun to fall from my Maple tree. That is a sure sign that fall is fast approaching. Before we know it, we will be snuggling under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Right?
