This is a newly emerged Monarch butterfly.The last one I fostered this year! Besides needing to inflate its wings and dry,it will need to zip it's proboscis closed. Think of the butterflies mouth part ( proboscis) as a drinking starw that is cut in half. The butterfly needs to furl and unfurl it several times until it "zips" together. If the butterfly is disturbed, and this does not happen..it will be impossible for the butterfly to sip nectar.If interested,use the magnifier to check it out. I will be sad to see this last one leave tomorrow!
@quixoticneophyte really?How cool!!Here is my nature /educational website...use anything you can!I do not know how old your children are but many activities can be modified to become age appropriate! http://www.misshope.org/ Hope you find some useful things!
@mzzhope that's very generous....most definitely, Hope, and I just bookmarked your website....with Winter coming, it will be good to check out, and do some of the projects, especially now that Aaron has a new found fascination for dragonflies....mainly because mum drove him nuts chasing them this Summer ;-)
You have captured something that I have never been able to see in person and this is just a stunning shot, not to mention the wonderful education and learning experience! Thanks so much for sharing and had to fav this shot as it is truly beautiful. Wow!
Another beautiful share, Hope. I, well, we (as we are a family of homeschoolers) thank you.