 |
| Release of the last monarch at CVP. 11.8.11. M. Larkin |
We tagged and released the last two monarch butterflies of 2011 last week, much to the delight of a visiting school group. We had tagged 84 since late August, and were surprised when two late-season caterpillars were found in the Children's Garden in mid-October. Those two matured and are now on their way to Mexico, where many of their comrades have already arrived. Fortunately our last two didn't emerge during the recent Sno-tober storm, but chose this series of sunny, mild days in which to start their journey. According to Journey North, a web site that tracks monarch sightings, ours were not the only Monarchs seen in the area on that day (http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/Gallery.html). We wish them good luck, with lots of nectar plants and warm tail winds to speed them on their journey. Vaya con Dios, amigos.
