Flying Away: Releasing Butterflies We've Raised


We let half of our butterflies loose today.  The butterflies from one of our butterfly gardens all hatched by yesterday and it was such a beautiful morning that we decided to watch them fly away.




It was really net to see the butterflies crawl to the top of the cage and many of them hung around for a bit on the boys hands.   We even saw them again throughout the day. 



Raising these butterflies from tiny little caterpillars has been such a wonderful experience for us all.

We've watched their metamorphosis so closely and learned so much about each state of the caterpillar's life. 

By raising butterflies we've observed:
  • Our caterpillars growing and crawling up to the lid of their cups.
  • Them entering the chrysalis.
  • The chrysalis getting more and more see through each day as the butterflies get ready to emerge.
  • Them flapping and drying out their wings for their first mini flight around the cage.
  • Them drinking through their proboscis and learned what foods butterflies prefer to use.
  • Butterflies flying from flower to flower in our garden; spreading pollen.  
It has been such a wonderful experience and one I know we'll be repeating for the next few years.





Comments

  1. kristin mccarthyMay 19, 2017 at 1:14 PM

    We did this a few years back and it is one of my kids fondest memories.

    #fabfriday

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mother of 3May 19, 2017 at 2:09 PM

      We just loved it; we raised them for a couple of years and I was kind of disappointed that they didn't want to again this year.

      Delete
  2. Mixed Bag MamaMay 19, 2017 at 2:37 PM

    We did this last year and it was really neat for me AND my 4 year old. I need to get around to ordering some more this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mother of 3May 19, 2017 at 2:46 PM

      I thought it was so amazing! We tried raising ladybugs one year too; that was neat but harder to see the changes.

      Delete
  3. Ethan.n.EvelynMay 25, 2017 at 6:42 AM

    Oh Wow! How incredible is this! I bet your kiddo is very excited with this experience. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us on #FabFridayPost

    ReplyDelete

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