A Joyful Moment - A Lone Monarch Survived

newly hatched monarch butterfly
newly hatched monarch with empty shell

At Least One Caterpillar Made It

Blessed to catch sight of newly-hatched monarch

I had despaired. I was certain that something ate every single monarch caterpillar. In nature, two to ten percent of larvae survive to become butterflies in the wild. But, thanks to the beauty of natural camouflage, I missed one chrysalis, which was hiding in plain sight.

It hatched, opened its wings, and, on this warm, humid day, dried quickly and is gone. My heart is lighter.

ThoughtsJacki Katzmanmonarch butterfly, awe, joy