We have grown milkweed since we moved into our current house, but the last two years saw few, if any, monarch caterpillars. This year, the caterpillars arrived, but they were late. With a recent cold snap, and with the milkweed being mostly used, I worried about some late arrivals. Would they make it through the stages to butterflies?

We found several late-arriving caterpillars eating the last of the milkweed supply.

We were especially concerned during the cold snap that came through recently. Would the milkweed survive? Would the caterpillars be warm enough?

For a while I gave up hope. I did not see the caterpillars; the milkweed was gone except for the seed pods we would save for next year. But then, while weeding, I found a chrysalis and immediately stopped weeding. We ended up finding 5 total, and I am guessing there are probably more.

It’s amazing how a caterpillar can turn into a cocoon…

It’s a reminder that there is so much magic in everyday.

As the chrysalis gets darker, it gets closer to emerging as a butterfly.

I knew this one would emerge while I was at work. It did.

The first picture is before work. The second, after. While I was at work, a new butterfly emerged into the world, dried its wings, and started the journey to Mexico for the winter.

My husband was able to catch this one right after it emerged. It was still drying its wings, making it still for a photograph.

Edit: after our soccer game, I came back to find another one had emerged. Here it is, drying its wings in the sun.

I hope you find magic in the every day, and no matter what cold snaps or heat waves you face, I hope you emerge, dry your wings, and fly.