Date: 09/06/2018

Number: 2

Monarchs have arrived in Hartselle/Falkville Alabama - as usual - just after Labor Day. There was one a few weeks ago that deposited eggs on the milkweed in my yard. I saved about 15 caterpillars that have already developed into butterflies. I let the last one go today. Had an interesting experience this year. One fell off just after it hatched. I found it in the bottom of the container - just a black blob. No wings opened yet. I could see its legs moving so I touched it with my finger and it grabbed onto my finger. After a bit, I was able to get it to transfer on to a stick where it gradually unfurled its wings and they dried normally. When its wings were fully developed, it flew away normally. Yesterday, two Monarchs appeared and now there are many eggs on the remaining milkweed - which is already trying to dry up. I am a retired teacher (18 years) that reported to Journey North from my kindergarten class for many years. It was always our beginning and ending of the year project.

Hartselle, AL

Latitude: 34.5 Longitude: -86.9

Observed by: Sylvia
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