I had the most incredible experience today! I had the unique opportunity to release Monarchs with adults with disabilities at Gallagher Center. I, along with horticulturalists named Jan and Suse, got to teach them about the lifecycle of Monarchs. I had representatives from every stage, from egg to chrysalis to show as examples. We had the chance to show everyone, up close, each stage. They we so responsive and excited!

After the teaching, we went outside to their Monarch Way Station, which we helped build this past Spring. It is an absolutely lovely garden! Once outside and seated, just about everyone (the crowd grew bigger than expected) had the chance to launch a Monarch. I am going to treasure the joy and delight on their faces for the rest of my days! It was so wonderful, I want to go back and do it again and again. It made all the time and energy I am putting in raising Monarchs so worth it. My cup is overflowing today...

It seems there was a breach in caterpillar security. Over the last few days, I have found several large caterpillars outside their boxes. I cannot figure out how they got out. Perhaps, they slipped away while I was cleaning containers...I am not sure. My friend, Corey Papale, came over get some larvae to rear. Luckily, her daughter, Ava, found this one. I didn't even see it! I am hoping Annie, the cat, misses it, too. It's too late now to get him back in a container. I have about 9 days to figure out what to do...

I was over at Warren Elementary this afternoon, weeding the Monarch Way Station. Just under the Swamp Milkweek, I found Monarch wings. This was one of my girls, released on 8/19/15. A bird must have eaten her, leaving only her wings. She didn't get very far. I know it's the "circle of life" and all that jazz, but I still feel defeated. While I was there, I did find 2 larvae and a few eggs. All I can do is to keep trying and pray I am making a difference...

We all made it home in one piece! The lectures were a success, especially with all my boxes of Monarchs! People seemed very interested, with lots of great questions and people coming up to see the larvae. I had taken along a few eggs to show people, but alas, they hatched while we were there. Still, it was good to show folks the difference between a newly hatched larvae and how enormous they are just 2 weeks later!

Ok! Ok! OK! I admit it! Things are starting to get a little overwhelming! I am scheduled to speak about Monarchs in Wicomico and Worcester counties next Tuesday. I have been furiously working on this web site and my presentation. I am excited to spread my passion for Monarchs and pollinators!

Did I mention that I have over 200 Monarchs in various stages from egg to chrysalis on my dining room table? Did I mention that I am some how taking them all with me (along with my husband, adult son, and a giant puppy)? Did I mention that I have to feed all those larvae? Whew! I am going to have to be very organized! I am going to pack several bags of milkweed leaves. I hope that the patch of milkweed near Assateague Island is still there. The woman who is coordinating my talks has graciously offered some of her milkweed. This, my friends, is going to be interesting!

My friend, Sara Yousa (mentioned before), is a fantastic photographer. I put these pictures on my site today, but I wanted to share them here, on my blog. The larva has just emerged from his/her egg. He/she will eat the eggshell before starting to eat milkweed. They are pretty cool, right? Especially when you consider this is practically microscopic!

So today, I went to that magical middle school to meet with the principal. I showed her some of my larvae and we talked about ways to involve the students. I think it would be so cool to tag and release Monarchs with the students! We'll see what happens when the teachers come to school in a few weeks.

I was at that magical place so, of course, I had to look for eggs and larvae. Well, I did not find any eggs, but i did find about 40 larvae (gulp) from newborn to a few days old. Holy cow! How did we miss them all on Sunday? The area is not that big!