Tiny Guy is now metamorphosing into a butterfly, privately, within its jade cloak. Here he/she is less than two days before giving up the exclusive milkweed diet and life as an Earthbound caterpillar. In the 17 days it took to hatch from the pearly egg on the underside of a milkweed plant to the jewel-like chrysalis presently hanging in the Monarch's rearing tower, Tiny Guy has been a unique presence in our home. An eating/pooping/growing machine has now withdrawn to transform itself into an ephemeral-looking winged insect that will fly almost 3,000 miles, winter over in chilly Mexican mountains and begin the journey back several months later. Assuming he/she escapes storms, predation, fatigue and disease. Every Monarch you see on the wing around this time of year is probably heading South to join millions of other Monarchs in their great migration. Tiny Guy will join them on or around September 16th.
