brand new Monarch . . .
I hadn’t been down to the pond in a few days, but ever since I found that Monarch chrysalis, the first thing I always do when I get there is to check on it. Yesterday it was empty . . .
. . . and one lone Monarch was flying around.
It does look like there might be something wrong with the top wings, like they didn’t grow completely, so maybe it was injured in the chrysalis.
The caterpillars are gone now. And, I've been looking for more chrysalis, but could not find a single one out of all those 50 or more caterpillars I counted a week or so ago except this one. They sure must be good hiders.
The milkweeds were pretty much stripped bare, but I could see new growth sprouting up from the base. Anyway, I think this one must be the "early bird" butterfly and one of these days soon, the place will be filled with Monarchs. It is warming up into the 70s this week and no rain predicted.
. . . and one lone Monarch was flying around.
It does look like there might be something wrong with the top wings, like they didn’t grow completely, so maybe it was injured in the chrysalis.
The caterpillars are gone now. And, I've been looking for more chrysalis, but could not find a single one out of all those 50 or more caterpillars I counted a week or so ago except this one. They sure must be good hiders.
The milkweeds were pretty much stripped bare, but I could see new growth sprouting up from the base. Anyway, I think this one must be the "early bird" butterfly and one of these days soon, the place will be filled with Monarchs. It is warming up into the 70s this week and no rain predicted.