Caterpillars, butterflies, (and new boots!)

Again, I apologize for the long span between posts. We've been busy around here and the camera has been neglected.
We had our annual Insect-ival at the Botanical Garden a few weeks ago and adopted a bunch of monarchs in each stage (egg, caterpillars, chrysalis, butterflies). As you may or may not know, monarch larva only eat milkweed. Milkweed is a beautiful plant, but tends to grow on roadsides and abandoned fields, therefore is often mowed down. Hence the problem of the diminishing population of monarchs. Anyway, we had a lot of caterpillars on our hands that had completely ravished the Gardens milkweed and the UGA Botany Greenhouses supply (both weren't doing so well with the drought). So I have (had) a few milkweed plants at home and decided to bring the caterpillars home so they would not starve to death. These little buggers have an insatiable appetite, as they are eating to prepare for their metamorphosis into a butterfly. Well, we brought home 50+ caterpillars that quickly devoured my plants and crawled away in search of more milkweed :( I just hope that some of them ate enough to complete their metamporphosis and make their way to Mexico (where they migrate each year). So, that completes your monarch lesson for the day and here are some pics of Esther enjoying them while they were here. I should have included a picture of the milkweed completely defoliated - it's not so pretty now.

We also brought home a terrarium w/ Gulf Frittilaries. They eat Passion Flower vine - another beautiful flower!

Praying Mantis on the Milkweed


A beautiful butterfly dress that our good friends, Josh and Rachel, bought Esther. I can't believe I haven't gotten pics of her in it before. I just added some more fabric to it so she can wear it this fall w/ an undershirt. I still didn't get many pictures because she was too busy flittering around to pose for a picture. Notice the wings on the back!


And finally, Esther's new boots. I went to an awesome consignment sale last week and found these adorable rain boots, among other things. This is E's 'cheese' face.

And she got a chance to wear them yesterday. Wasn't yesterday's rain glorious!