More Monarchs hatch, more are on the way

The last batch of Monarch cocoons (correctly named chrysalises) have been hatching out some healthy butterflies!  The proper term for "hatching" is actually "eclosing"  but everyone knows what hatching means!  Sometimes I think it's better for communication to be clear than to be totally precise all the time.  Anyway, in the last four days, I have released seven butterflies, and they were strong flyers which is great!  One did have to rest on a flower for a few hours until he was ready but then took off and flew well.

This girl was the first to hatch

This one was also a great flyer

 

Looking pretty while resting before the important first flight.

 

One of the cocoons turned blackish and developed an open soft spot.  Because it did not form properly, it will not yield a butterfly.  I never know what makes this sort of thing happen, but I believe it's some sort of virus that they get before forming their cocoon.

Nothing good will come from this damaged chrysalis.

The next two groups of Monarchs are in progress.  The four caterpillars from the next group finished eating.  Three climbed to the top of the enclosure and formed their chrysalises there, but one decided to attach itself to a leaf on one of the milkweed plants in the enclosure.  In another 10 days or so, we should see some new butterflies from that group.

The newest batch is also on the way.  I saw a Monarch bumping against the pool screen to get to the milkweed inside, so I brought out a plant and she immediately began laying eggs and sipping nectar alternately.  After she was done, I brought the plant inside the pool screen to keep the iguanas away.  I'll check how many eggs are there in a few days and put it in the enclosure then. 

In other news, a cormorant was on the floating duck again.  It's always fun to see that.

He has a lot to say about his spot.

The cormorant's cousin, a male anhinga, rested on the grass of the backyard and dried out his wings after fishing in the canal.

Drying out after some good fishing.

Mom gallinule was still busily feeding her three kids.  They are growing fast.

This kid swam out to meet mom for a bite.

One of our most common dragonflies, a four-spotted pennant, posed while catching the sun and resting from his busy day.

I found me a nice twig to rest on.

Finally, this was an exciting day for our kitty Callie.  Our cats are "inside" cats in that they never go outside into the big world.  The closest they come is on our large screened patio.  Today, our Callie had a visitor.  An orange cat, who seemed pretty friendly and who has visited before, stared at her from under the tree in my neighbor's yard.  She was mesmerized, so I guess it's a male.  They stared at each other for a long time.  Our boy Finn was nowhere around, but he probably would not have liked another boy in the neighborhood, and would want to protect his sister, even though she clearly did not want protection! 

Hi, Callie!  Want to come out and play?