Butterfly Whisperer

        Monarch Butterflies are somewhat rare. Kathy Gatewood started raising them when she found an egg or two on some milkweed she had in her garden. That was 2 summers ago and her project has taken off, big time. She has a Facebook group "Raising Monarch Butterflies." She gave a program at Isabella's school and is quite the pro at the science involved.
       While we were in Houston, I saw the little cocoon erupt into a butterfly. We watched this miracle evolve into a more secure little beauty. Once it left the cocoon, the butterfly took about 48 hours for his wings to fully expand. We watched him practice flying inside the mesh environment. Most of the specimens are found outside all the time, but Kathy brought one of these inside so we could see the process.
      By the markings on the wings, it may be determined if it's a boy or a girl.
      Our butterfly is a boy!
      When I held him in my cupped palms, I could feel the soft fluttering of his delicate wings. As I opened my hands, he flew immediately up, out, and over to a tree and then to another tree. Short distances, gaining confidence and strength.
       He will later winter in Mexico and then return to his birthplace for spring and summer. Radar can pick up the swarms of monarch butterflies as they migrate.
       Is Nature awesome or what?