Today was hatching day for a monarch butterfly in my yard. Yesterday’s post showed the beautiful chrysalis and today started out much the same, but by noon we had a new butterfly out in the garden.
It's almost time!!!
I kept watch for the hatching, but ultimately missed the big event. It happened pretty quickly, inside a half hour.
Welcome!
The new butterfly spent a few hours resting and drying out its wings.
A bed of lemon balm to rest and spread wings
The detail of the butterfly wings is stunning! A work of art.
Butterfly wings up close
Out on the milkweed a new generation is munching away. Hopefully, I’ll have a continuous cycle of caterpillars, chrysalis’ and butterflies in the yard.
The next generation
In the big picture it was just a blip, but it was a big deal for me!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing this extraordinary little miracle, Leslie. I thoroughly enjoy reading 3000tomatoes.com every day.
Thank you Barbara!
you captured the big event perfectly! i keep plugging in native milkweed plants to lure these beauties to my garden! sheer magic!
I just bought a fourth milkweed to fill in my collection out front!
Amazing photography capturing the cycle of life! Thanks for sharing- I’ve been reading your posts since the floral demo for the garden club in February! Love your website and your perspective
Thanks Diane!