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Caption: _______ METAMORPHOSIS My monarch butterfly adventure
Caption: A few years ago I became aware of the habitat loss of migrating monarch butterflies which was resulting in fewer numbers of butterflies. Because of land development, genetically modified crops, and pesticides and herbicides, milkweed and other nectar plants needed for the monarch to reproduce were disappearing and there wasn't enough to sustain the full population.
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Caption: I decided I would do my part by creating a waystation in my garden with lots of milkweed and other native plants. I checked the milkweed constantly looking for caterpillars and had almost given up hope that they would show up this year.
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Caption: And then I spotted a caterpillar and realized there were at least a dozen more happily chomping away on the milkweed leaves. I was thrilled!
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Caption: I wanted to watch the process up close so I bought this little habitat and found three juicy caterpillars that were getting close to changing and brought them inside.
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Caption: I cleaned their home twice a day and brought them fresh milkweed leaves. This lasted a few days.
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Caption: I looked in one day and saw they were starting to hang upside down in the J formation which means they are getting ready to turn into a chrysalis!
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Caption: And they did!
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Caption: I started to discover other chrysalis in the garden at the same time the three inside had changed. I did my daily rounds, checking on them all. What little works of art they are!
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Caption: After almost two weeks their wing colors and patterns started showing through the chrysalis and I knew within 24 hours we would have butterflies!
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Caption: A butterfly!
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Caption: It took a couple of hours for their wings to fully extend and dry out before they took their first flight.
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Caption: And they were off!
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