Great – I think you are Monarch Central.  My four stage 5 caterpillars have been gone for several days.  I keep looking everywhere and cant find that they have formed their cristalist (sp) I am just hoping that they are hiding well and will become butterflies.  I still ha e only seen the one Monarch from earlier.

J

Hooray
The Monarchs have finally arrived.  Yesterday I saw one.  Today they are flying all over.  Love the clover blossoms in the field and the Butterfly bushes.  They are mating and right in front of me.  Hard to count as they keep moving but I have counted six.  I don’t think they are from my four caterpillars as it hasn’t  been long enough. Will have to check for eggs again.
Is it too late to plant more swamp Swamp milkweed for next year if I can find some?

J

So great to hear Jody’s news! Just remember that this year’s little swamp milkweed will grow back bigger and stronger next year. I have a couple of seed pods ready to burst and I plan to disperse the seeds in the garden and in the field near my house. I hope to have plants for people to dig up and put in their gardens next spring.
I observed a third chrysalis emerge into a glorious butterfly yesterday afternoon in my garden, after 18 days as a chrysalis. It rested overnight and took its first flight mid-morning. And a caterpillar crawled to a lamp on the side of the house and is just about ready to form a chrysalis… Monarch mash-up? Mayhem?

I will be interested to see what the Putney Mountain Hawk Watch counts for their Monarch migration this fall.
Thanks to all for sharing your comments and questions. We’re not done yet!
Judy