We love to support the Monarch Butterflies with making sure we have butterfly milkweed in our backyard. It was a weekend in October, the fall winds were strong with a possible thunderstorm to roll in. We were working in the yard preparing for the storm and my husband discovered a Monarch butterfly that emerged from the chrysalis at the bottom of our shed. We found it to be the strangest location for such a delicate creature.
We decided to help her find a safer location. She walked onto my finger and I cupped my hand to block the wind that was whistling as it whipped around the trees. The sweet butterfly didn’t want to get off my hand as I tried to place her gently in the pollinating flowers.
My husband and I agreed to bring her in the house and she could hang out in the insect carrier we have for insect rescues.
I walked into the house and she started to crawl up my arm and onto my shirt. I sat down on the couch setting up the insect carrier and was able to capture a cute selfie picture with her.
When my husband came back into the house, we determined the best possible chance for this precious butterfly to make her trip to Mexico was to keep her safe inside for the rest of the day and into the night. We named her Windy the Monarch Butterfly since she emerged on a windy day in October.
I cut some beautiful flowers that butterflies love to enjoy in our yard and I placed them in her carrier. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable as much as possible during her stay with us. I even explained our plan to release her in the morning and we were keeping her safe from the approaching storm.
The next morning, we were excited to see the beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies. We moved Windy to one of our sunny windows to show her we have sunshine. This also allows her time to communicate with us that she is ready to go by fluttering around the carrier. In about 30 minutes of sunshine she was flapping her wings and fluttering around. She is ready! YAY!
We placed the carrier outside and opened the flap. Windy immediately took flight, fluttered around the yard and then landed in the tree. I’m sure she will soak up the sun’s energy and fuel up with nectar before she leaves.
We wish Windy the best in her travels to Mexico. We are always amazed at these remarkable butterflies that know their special purpose in the ecosystem. I am so grateful that Windy felt safe during her stay and allowed us to help her.
That is KAPOW!
Tracie
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The featured picture for this sweeet story is one of our many Monarch Butterflies that visit our backyard.
