Two Monarchs Hatched and Random Butterfly Photos - by Sunscape

I thought there would be one more day before two of the chrysalis hatched. It was pouring rain when I woke up and found these two sitting at the bottom of the cage.

I hung the cage on the back porch for a few minutes before I took them out. I always put them on the hanging basket with the Fushia plant to allow them time to strengthen their wings.

I know it was still raining, but I knew they would sit there for quite some time before trying to fly. Having years of experience rearing them, I knew they would wait till the rain stopped.

It wasn't long before the rain subsided and the female in the foreground started stretching her wings. She was the first one to take flight. The male in the background took another 20 minutes before he flew off, landing in the nearby Maple tree. He probably needed more time to strengthen those wings.

Raising the Monarchs from eggs, watching them go through the entire transformation, is just beautiful to experience. Especially when you get to see them take their first flight.

This week in the butterfly garden, two Black Swallowtails were feasting together on the Phlox flowers.

One of them had torn wings, but that sure didn't stop him from flying in any way.

Here is a lovely Yellow Swallowtail. It looks very healthy and is enjoying the Impatiens around the porch.

This is the first time I have ever seen the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly. I took these photos through the window when I saw it feasting on the Zinnias.

That butterfly was as large as my hand; now that is big, lol. It stayed on those flowers for a long while before flying off. I have yet to see it again.

I don't know what these little guys are, but I have a lot of them this summer, too.
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the butterflies that visit my flower gardens. Have a wonderful day, everyone!