. . . is blowing in the wind.
Late Sunday afternoon I found the chrysalis changing colors just a bit, and wondered.
When I went to check the chrysalis Monday afternoon, I discovered that the Monarch had already emerged, leaving just a trace of its cocoon; a wisp of whispering goodbye hanging on the stem. I wish I could have witnessed the emergence, but, nature works on its own schedule, not mine.
I am grateful to have come upon the chrysalis as I did and thrilled that one more Monarch butterfly is flitting about, perhaps depositing her own eggs. Soon, that amazing generation will wend its way to the overwintering spots in Mexico as the Monarch migration begins. Who knows? Perhaps one of them will rest upon one of Debra’s butterfly bushes in Southern California where she provides a restful haven.
It does matter, dear friends, that we do our “bit” for nature, be it birdbaths and nesting materials, host plants – or giving to a favorite foundation so they can expand conservation efforts.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
“A wisp of whispering goodbye”–you expressed that so beautifully; so poignantly. I’m glad the butterfly survived too. But like you, it would have been nice to see it emerge. 🙂 Still, I’m glad you provided closure for us.
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Thank you, L. Marie. I appreciate your kind words.
As much as I would have loved to see this happen, I am thrilled that it did emerge and is hopefully flitting happily around. 🙂 Gorgeous day today.
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So happy to hear that your Monarch has emerged and fluttered away, Penny! It will always think of your garden on the Cutoff as its home. You are such a wonderful steward of the land and its resources, Penny. I predict several more Monarchs in your garden next year… and for years to come! Well done, my friend!! ♡
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That is sweet, Dawn, and thank you; I try. I do think the population will grown and appreciation your prediction. Did I ever tell you I found a bee in the bee bath?
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Hope the little bee was enjoying a sip of water! ♡
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Sorry you missed the reveal after all the anticipation, but I love the thought that she might visit Debra on her trip south.
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Thank you, Karen. I’m so glad you caught that thought. Debra is certainly doing her own plantings to encourage Monarchs and, who knows? 🙂
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I’ve enjoyed the genesis of this Monarch’s odyssey. Feel like we just sent a little one off to the first grade! You gave it a safe start and now it’s in God’s hands.
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It did feel like sending a little one off to first grade, Marilyn. You always have the perfect turn of a phrase that makes me smile. Just as I was reading your comment, I noticed a hummingbird sipping out of the fuchsia hanging in front of the living room window. It felt a bit like friends sitting down for a cup of tea – akin to our visits here on the Cutoff. Thank you, Marilyn. You’ve made the start to my day here all-the-sweeter for your words.
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I had so hoped you’d actually be able to say a proper “bon voyage” to your very own Monarch, but he was probably in a hurry to get to Mexico before your winter makes an appearance. You have really inspired me to do more, Penny, and are very much responsible for why I made sure to have plenty of milkweed in my garden. Thank you so much for mentioning my efforts. I do love the idea of your little guy making an appearance in my garden before he winters further south. I hope to learn a lot more about them this year and try to understand a little more about their migratory preparation. I haven’t yet cut back our plants, but I absolutely must this weekend! I know that will mean they move on, and I’m going to miss them. 🙂 Thank you for such a nice way to include me in your beautiful post, my friend.
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Me too, Debra. It is what it is. 😦 Now – I’ve been fretting about trying to see if I can find more chrysalis.
Such a long, long journey these little beauties have ahead of them. Thank you for planting the milkweed and for teaching me how your tending of Monarchs in southern California differs from us here in the midwest. We are all connected in this world, and it is good to share. While we are encouraged to leave our milkweed standing, you are encouraged to cut milkweed back so the Monarchs continue their journey. It is hard for me to cut back plants. I’m needing to do this here, but, for different reasons. Come September, plants start to look tired and sad. The long goodbye begins.
You are welcome. Let me know when my Monarch stops by. 🙂
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Oh, you missed it! These moments are so hard to catch, but the ‘wisp of a whispering goodbye’ was felt on the wind so poetic and poignant Penny. I hope your monarch flies far and gives birth to many others.
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Sigh. I did miss it. Thank you, Juliet. I hope it goes forth and multiplies. Your monarchs should be appearing soon. As we say the long goodbye up here, you are in the happy hello to spring there. I hope you are feeling better.
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Yes, it matters enormously. Without wildlife and the natural world our planet would soon be dead and we with it.
And what would we do if we couldn’t, day after day, stand and stare and admire, just like you did with the Monarch chrysalis.
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Right you are, Friko. If only the whole of humanity shared this.
At times I think this property too big for us now, but, then a monarch spins a cocoon or a hummingbird darts about sipping from the smallest of vessels, and I wonder just that – what would I do without it? Thank you for stopping by, Friko.
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Oh boy, that was quick! I’m glad to hear your Monarch got out safely and that there is another in the world. You’re so right about us all doing out little bit, it adds up.
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Thanks, Janet. Most of us can’t make really big differences, but, we can all make small ones and hope they grow. You do that with your social issues and I admire you for that. 🙂
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[…] One of the items slipped into mirror’s shelf is the remains of a chrysalis, found a few years ago when I happened upon a cocoon hidden in the long grasses of our little prairie. After monitoring the little miracle (my neighbors must think me a tad “off”) I missed the emergence. I took the long stem and remains indoors and settled it into the small shelf drawer . You can find that story here. […]
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