Date: 03/29/2023

Number: 1

I rescued her. She was in the road, almost dead. I touched her front leg twice before she responded to me. She crawled onto my finger. It was then I discovered she was missing her two upper wings. By the looks of her remaining wings, a bird got her. Being that she couldn’t fly, I took her in. I took care of her for 6 weeks to the day. We went on walks everyday. She loved going on my bike with me too. It made her feel like she was flying again. She would always stomp her right arm twice, look at me and then turn her whole body in the direction she wanted me to go. She lay eggs a week before she passed! They hatched, but my milkweed got infested with some peaty bug as small as the eggs. Only a few eggs survived and hatched. I haven’t seen the caterpillars since they were in the first stage of showing the monarch stripes. They were still very tiny! I have plenty of photos and videos if you need more. We had a very special relationship. I loved her and she loved me very much. I know. She communicated with me. It was one of the most exciting experiences in my life. She really communicated with me. I miss her so much. I haven’t seen a monarch or any butterfly since she passed. I think they are in real danger of going extinct. Please save them. They are very special!
Sincerely,
Marny Oriarte

San Diego, CA

Latitude: 32.7 Longitude: -117.1

Observed by: Marny
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