At least 50 jars like this one are lined up along my librarian friend's living room railing from June through early September. The jars contain either a soft green chrysalis or a monarch caterpillar. Though each chrysalis hangs serenely from a twig or branch (like Kim's necklace of the same shade and shape), the caterpillars are of various lengths and widths, depending upon their stages of development. They munch milkweed leaves at an amazing rate! I love the jars hold these future fliers until their release to the outside world. What is more miraculous - their migration across the United States to Mexico or Kim's dedication to their survival?
For more reading about monarchs, I recommend:
Monarch and Milkweed by Helen Frost
Monarchs by Kathryn Lasky
An Extraordinary Life by Laurence Pringle
A Butterfly is Patient by Diana Hutts Aston (and other butterflies as well)
Astonishing, each time I hear/read the tales of their journeys. How intriguing to be surrounded by these jars.
ReplyDeleteP. S. Thanks for visiting my blog - and yes, I need to visit your part of the world--I am sure I would love it.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder, Sharon, if we were totally silent in that house, could we hear the crunching of milkweed leaves?
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog and am glad Brattcat brought us to each other's writing.
About that munching question . . . I loved reading the book "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. A beautiful story of perseverence, featuring a snail whose munching is indeed audible!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to look for that book now, Joyce. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDelete