"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson
Our butterfly has emerged .
Yesterday we knew it was almost time because it turned from that pretty green color to transparent - we could see the monarch all scrunced up inside there.
She hung upside down for a few hours so the wings could straighten and dry. We can tell that it's a girl because males have a black spot on one of the veins of the hind wings and females do not.
Cole was really proud.
When we thought her wings were ready, we took her outside to go free. Cole tried to get her to climb on his finger first, but the wind made her flutter over to a corn stalk leaf.
We watched for several minutes before it flew away, high into one of the pear trees. She has a long journey ahead of her. Hope she makes it.
Then we found a new friend. Meet Little Tree Frog. That's Heather's hand he's captured in. We gently observe him for a while before letting him go.
Wow, what great pictures! Neat that you can observe so much wildlife.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed the "WCH Book Picks" feature above all the pictures on the right hand side of this page! BFG and Seven Silly Eaters, what great reads.
Wayne, Cole and Heather, you are sooo lucky to have a naturalist for a mother, and to see a monarch emerge from her chrysillis (sp). Do you think she will be going to Mexico? How long will it take her to get there? Hope someday you can make the trip to Malone, NY to see Farmer Boy's real home and barns, like Joanie and I did today. I think that would be one of my book picks too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the successful birth. Loved the pictures of all the stages of the monarch's life. They were just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDarlene, I think you are the opitome of what home-school teachers would strive to be!! Your children are getting the best of both worlds - public and home education!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!
Love, Mary :)