Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Being Inspired

Just when you think you have nothing else to write about,
a miracle emerges! 

One of my Black Swallowtail Butterflies emerged from it's chrysalis. 

It's really too early to see them,
they usually emerge around the second week of May.
The netted cages are in the garage, the suggested spot to over winter them.
I have to leave the cages in the garage, if I bring them indoors,
all of the butterflies will emerge in the warmth of the house,
and it is too cold outside to release them.


I am never quite sure how to tell my Butterfly story...
if you follow my blog, you already know the story, if not,
here is the readers digest version! 

I raise butterflies.
I plant a lot of dill in my outdoor garden.
Black Swallowtail Butterflies lay their eggs on dill.
Once I find the eggs, I bring them indoors, into my netted butterfly cages.
I care for them, feed them, clean their cage and nurture them until they go into chrysalis.
Last summer, at seasons end, I found a second "crop" of caterpillars on my dill.
I brought them indoors and 52 went into chrysalis, and have been that way all winter.

If you are interested,
this is a great article about raising Black Swallowtail Butterflies indoors.

If you are interested, 
a few of my butterfly stories and pictures can be found herehere, and here.

This is one of my favorite pictures from a past season...

this one...

and this one too!!

The hubs went and bought an orange for the butterfly, 
I am feeding it to the butterfly until I can release it tomorrow.

Talk about excitement, there are 51 more coming!!
Are you guys finding things to be excited about?

Another day in the books, this one was very exciting for me.

16 comments:

Sandi said...

Wow!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, you are the butterfly whisperer!! They are beautiful. I saw a Swallowtail butterfly during one of my walks this week. The first one I saw this season. Beautiful photos! Take care, have a happy day!

Marie Smith said...

How exciting and more to come! I love your enthusiasm for life of all sizes, Debbie.

Brian King said...

Awesome even if a bit early! I always look forward to your butterflies!

LeAnn said...

I was so excited to see this post on your first butterfly of the season. You take this best butterfly photos ever. Of course, you know that I love your photos so much and borrow them. Have a blessed day dear friend. Hugs~

Ruth Hiebert said...

That is truly exciting.

Nancy J said...

Twins in the last photo, this is so interesting, I have a friend who brought into a sunroom the monarch chrysalis to keep them safe. And the excitement when they emerged, I have always enjoyed those moments, fragile wings fluttering and drying off. Nature gives us all a much needed boost right now.

The Furry Gnome said...

Your butterflies and pictures are beautiful!

BeachGypsy said...

Debbie your baby babies are so gorgeous!! I love seeing these pictures!! Not only are they beautiful, and fun....but you capture such great pictures of them!

The Padre said...

Fantastic - Such A Little Delight - Great Photos As Well

Cheers

Rian said...

I used to raise black swallowtails too... years ago.... but not in the numbers you do. It was very rewarding. Loved watching them dry their wings and fly off into the sunshine. Beautiful!

Conniecrafter said...

How fun that they have started already, hopefully they don't all come out at once or you will be a very busy girl, just love their markings!!
I guess we just needed to talk about them to get them coming :)

Angie said...

Debbie - yay, yay, yay! Just when we think we are out of reasons for hope, there is this!!! And 51 more to come! Can't wait to see the wonderful pictures!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

What a lovely surprise to happen during lockdown and such a beauty Debbie. Stay well, stay safe and stay home.

Lowcarb team member said...

How lovely …
Super photographs too.

All the best Jan

Jeannee said...

I love your butterfly stories, my friend :>