Back at school today and just in time to record the coming out party for this monarch butterfly! From the top left to the bottom right you can see the stages of his debut. First in the butterfly cage where he rests and waits for his wings to dry. Then Ellen carried him out to the garden to release him. A series of shots showing him making the break for freedom. When the moment finally arrived, he was too quick for me, so I caught him at a pitstop where he paused for a moment. (You can see Ellen's hand pulling the foliage aside so I could get a better picture.) And finally, you see him high on a branch the launching pad before his flight to Mexico. What a glorious day he had to begin his journey. Ten days from a very hungry caterpillar to this beautiful butterfly. Many thanks to Ellen for her care and feeding of this creature.
