June 12: The day contained several moments of gratitude starting with the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes this morning — the sun. I know it means the heat wave is on its way but for the briefest of moments it brings relief and a burst of energy after a long week of June gloom. I’m now at the opposite end of the day enjoying a beautiful evening in my atrium.
In between is gratitude for my friend MC. I jokingly call us Team Monarch as if we’re competing in the butterfly olympics, but really it’s just a collaborative Monarch rearing effort. Instead of wins and losses success is measured by the number of new butterflies released into the world.
I’m thinking of MC and our butterflies as I contemplate the special moments in my day. Earlier I visited her to collect my mesh butterfly “condo”, as we like to call it, and borrow a potted Milkweed plant. Yesterday I rescued a caterpillar from the Milkweed garden along my back fence, a location that has proved hazardous as it’s also where the lizards hang out. Lizards, as it turns out, feed on caterpillars. My condo has been sitting empty at MC’s house since the caterpillars she was watching for me became butterflies and I needed it back, along with extra food, to protect and raise my rescued caterpillar.
The week before my trip back East five caterpillars were fattening up at my house and I worried as my departure date approached. With no one to look after them they could wander off and perish if just left in the garden, or starve or become imprisoned if left in my condo with no one to replace the Milkweed after it’s been consumed or later open the condo door when the chrysalises become butterflies. This is how they ended up at MC’s house. I drove the five caterpillars and my condo over there for safekeeping. Two more were discovered upon my return and I took those to her as well since trip #2, my girl’s weekend, was on the heels of my trip back East.
It’s easier and more fun raising Monarchs when you have a partner. There’s camaraderie, a sharing of resources, satisfaction in achieving a common goal. And this project is near and dear to our hearts because we’ve undertaken it in honor MC’s husband.
MC found three caterpillars in her yard this week, which makes our count to date:
- Don, the first butterfly of the year released in April
- The Back East Five, who are now butterflies flying free in the world
- The Girl’s Weekend Two, now chrysalises at MC’s house due in about a week
- The Rescued One, the caterpillar at my house that is currently feasting away in its cushy condo
- MC’s Three, itty bitty caterpillars enjoying her Milkweed garden while contemplating a move to MC’s condo for safekeeping
Our butterfly season is off to a good start and for this I am grateful. I feel like MC and I are releasing beauty and wonder into the world and we’re doing it together, one butterfly at a time.
Go Team Monarch!
Photo of my caterpillar condo with “The Rescued One”
Post your comment