Monarch Rescue -- Emmett Gives Back

 Monarch Rescue -- Emmett Gives Back 

Emmett & Monarch Ready to Go

      Emmett, my daughter and her husbands second child, came to us premature, weighing a little more than two pounds. So small his father a pediatrician held him in one hand shortly after the birth. That a baby can be born so early, survive even thrive can be considered a miracle of modern medicine. What a gift to our family. Writing that just now brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. 

        That gift is already giving back. Word of mouth can be so important. My daughter's friend with her daughter raise Monarch butterflies to help this threatened species survive. She shared her knowledge with Emmett. Emmett supported by his family then went out just behind his house identified and found Milkweeds where Monarchs lay their eggs.

Milkweed in Bloom

         Looking carefully underneath the leaves he discovered Monarch eggs that had been laid there by a female. Gathering those leaves with eggs he brought them in and placed them in a net cage where the developing eggs and caterpillars would be safe from predators like ants, spiders and wasps. Feeding on Milkweed is essential for Monarch caterpillars. The Milkweed provides protection as predators find some of the Milkweed compounds poisonous. 

A Chrysalis Safe Inside

        Nine caterpillars hatched and each became a chrysalis hanging inside the safety of the cage until a few days ago they began to exit the chrysalis as fully developed winged beauty. Normally only two to five percent of eggs hatch and survive that are laid by a female Monarch. By protecting the eggs and caterpillars Emmett at least doubled the number of eggs surviving to become Butterflies.

Getting Ready

Emmett Freeing A Monarch

        Then the gift of freedom. Emmett took the Monarchs outside set them free to continue their life's journey. The incredible migratory journey that Monarchs make and the multiple generations that return the following year is incredible. The U.S. Forest Service has those details at fs.usda.gov.  Hopefully some Monarchs Emmett set free will return next year to flit from flower to flower, lay their eggs on Milkweed leaves so the  spontaneous gift of beauty and joy they share in living will continue. 

    Thanks for Joining Me -- May Peace and Serenity Be Yours!   

Credits: Pictures of Emmett and the Monarch on the window sill taken by his mother. Picture of the Milkweed and the chrysalis taken by the author. 

Anthony G. Hendricks, author, poet, nature lover -- naturally;  Buddha Blues, recently published with a great cover created by his Sister Judith; available at Amazon as print on demand or as an e book at Amazon or Kobo. With formatting help on cover and interior by Woven Red. Other books The Wasteland Revisited, a book length poem about the dystopia causing global warming; available as an e book at Amazon; A Journey In The Human Dilemma, collected poetry and prose; trade paper back.