All the caterpillars turned into chrysalises on July 10, and when I returned from a weekend trip on the 19th, all the monarchs except for one had emerged from their chrysalis and were ready for flight.

Monarch

It seems like I left everyone high and dry for the last couple of weeks. Since I last wrote, I put 7 Swallowtail caterpillars in the butterfly box. Three  emerged this morning. Check out the photos! I had my back to the box this morning while having my daily coffee on the patio. I noticed Reba, my beautiful yellow lab, perked up suddenly, looking  behind me. I didn’t know what kind of critter was back there, so I turned. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something moving- a butterfly was pumping its wings! I got up to get a closer look, and there were 3!  They hung out around the box for a few hours before they were ready to fly, and about 9:00AM the last one took flight.

There are four left to “hatch”. WOW! I think I need another butterfly box- I have 9 Monarch caterpillars on the milkweed and 5 Gulf Fritillaries on the passion vine- Amazing! Life is abundant- just look around you.

     What’s growing in your garden?