Another Release

There was a second releasing of the Monarchs although there were fewer this time. They perhaps could have waited for more to emerge from chrysalis, but once the butterflies are ready, it is not wise to make them wait for too long.

I brought up the concern of one of my readers that Monarchs released in this way cannot migrate, and they were quick to disavow that. You see, Monarchs can be tagged, and those tags have been found in Mexico. It really doesn't make sense anyway since all they are doing is protecting the pupae from bird predators while they are incubating. Otherwise, the attrition rates can be quite high. The insects are not interfered with otherwise.

I have some photos of this event too. Largely, I went so Sue and Shauna could witness the event, which they missed the first time. They are on the right in this photo.

There was much crowding around the box. They used glass doors this time instead of mesh to make photographing easier, but I found that there was too much glare and reflection. Others may have done better. Perhaps if I had brought my polarizer filter . . .

They did have a few insects in another tent, but nothing exciting was happening like it did on the previous day. The first wasn't ready for chrysalis and the pupa wasn't close to emerging in the second photo. Still, we could see them up close.

When the door was open, most of the butterflies took off lickety split. In these photos, first there were three, but second later there was just one. I was surprised to see than I caught a bit of one taking off. I had thought that I had missed completely.

Bob got me in this photo when I was trying to capture the above photos or something similar.

All but one of the nine released disappeared from the premises pronto, but that one did sit on a flower for a long time.

Linda showed up a little late, but she didn't disappoint with her outfit. She never does.

Addendum: Erin, who along with her husband, Curtis, who takes on this project, also has a blog on the subject. This post (←this is a link) addresses the issues of migrating and raising the butterflies in the way that they do. It also informs us that there will be another release on Thursday evening. Although I have witnessed this twice, the kids are back from their eastern excursion, so they might like to see it.