Last spring, for her 6th birthday, Abby received a great gift from Dennis' parents - a butterfly "house" and certificate for caterpillars. But, when we eventually sent for them (taking vacations and such into account), they arrived D.O.A. (no joke!) because of the heat. We told Abby if she was patient, we'd find the perfect time to send off for a new batch ... and that time came this March. Abby and Tyler watched intently as the caterpillars matured (a.k.a. fattened themselves up), then made their chrysalides (see what remains of them in the shot below?) and emerged as Painted Lady butterflies.
After feeding them "butterfly baby food," a.k.a. sugary water presented on a flower, and keeping them inside for a week or so, we decided they needed some fresh air. Problem is ... they didn't want to leave! Abby and Tyler tried waiting for them to fly out of the netting, but they finally decided some coaxing was in order.
We tried one afternoon at first, and were only able to get two of the four to fly away.
Unfortunately ... there was a casualty! I was inside (after growing impatient with our not-wanting-to-budge houseguests) when Tyler came running up to inform me that one of our butterflies
had left the netting, only to be instantly gobbled up by a bird! NO JOKE! Trust me, it was very hard
not to laugh at this little lesson on the Circle of Life. Fortunately, the kids took it all in stride! We will definitely raise butterflies again soon; it was a great lesson for all of us.
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