Dear Monarch friends and Neighbors,
I was able to capture more Monarch magic two weeks ago. I watched a caterpillar form a chrysalis.  The caterpillar had “assumed” the J position about 24 hours before, and I knew the transformation was imminent. I positioned myself in front of the caterpillar and sat for an hour with my phone at the ready. The entire process took about 6 minutes. I took a series of videos, which my trusty videographer (my husband, Rob Freeberg) edited into a concise version (see below), so some of my rambling commentary was cut.

The swamp milkweed plants in my garden are starting to look ragged and aphid infested, though I continue to find small Monarch caterpillars here and there. I don’t know if these specimens will make it through a complete cycle and then migrate, especially with predicted cold weather possibly destroying food sources for caterpillars and adults. In addition to the chrysalis I filmed, I have discovered 2 more, and I don’t know if any of them will make it to adulthood.

Thank you for participating in this adventure with me. I have learned so much and it’s been a great diversion from all the disturbing news. We’re doing our small part to improve our local habitat for many of the pollinators who are necessary to the health of our complex natural world. Please let me know if you want to continue participating in this project next spring. 

In the next few weeks, I will send you a summary and post it on the Dummerston Conservation Commission website.
Take care and all the best!
Judy