Butterfly

Just happened to spy some caterpillars hanging from a milkweed plant, while on a walk. So, I thought, let's try this. I picked a leaf with the caterpillar and placed him in our "bug cage". Tristan was so taken with the idea, he got another one. While feeding these caterpillars (what MUST be milkweed leaves) Tristan also found a freshly hatched caterpillar. This little guy was no bigger than a pinhead. In two weeks' time he became a big fat caterpillar and is now in chrysallis form. These guys change fast!!! Just yesterday morning i got up and checked on what are now three chrysalli. I knew one was ready to hatch. But, no luck. An hour later T gets up and there is a butterfly!!! We gently removed him from the cage and took him out to our flowering bush. He spent an hour there stretching his wings, then flew away to the barnyard where there are lots of goldenrod and queen anne's lace. It has been an amazing and educational journey watching these bugs. I must say in spite of my life-long adventure with bugs, this is the first time i've watched monarchs transform. and yes, i do believe he is a boy butterfly - go to www.monarchwatch.com. So, all you southern people, watch out for our butterfly, he'll soon be heading your way:)