#the littlest (creepy) is set to pupate later today

[woodfrogs]

first monarch of the year released! she was in chrysalis for 13 days and eclosed really quickly (i checked in on her at sunrise and she was still green then surprise! butterfly time.) monarchs emerge all wrinkly and pump fluid through their wings to spread them out, then let any excess drip out. her wings were already ready but she wasnt crawling around so it hadnt been too long since she eclosed, and when i picked her up she did drip a bit on me lmao.

i wanted to get her on a flower asap since i didnt know how long it had been and she was refusing to go on the one i offered her. so i just took her outside. its windy out so she was a bit uncertain, but as soon as i put her on a dandelion she took off and flew into an apple tree! i guess she found the flower too unstable. i lost track of her trying to get a better angle :( but the wind is pushing her towards a field with lots of clover and goldenrod.

godspeed little butterfly. i hope you make it all the way to mexico!