Female Monarch about an hour after eclose--November 2, 2015 2PM  Garland, Texas 75040

This afternoon (November 2, 2015 I peeked into the one remaining Monarch Condo and there she was, still clinging to the outside of her chrysalis. I guess it's not a minute too soon although there are still a few stragglers in our area.  When Charlie and I went down to the Garland Community Garden to release her we saw two other Monarchs and a butterfly that we yet have to identify.  Perhaps if there is a lepidopterist reading this article you can tell us what it is.  We did notice that it is missing parts of its hind wings.  Perhaps a bird clipped them off.

Unidentified Butterfly- Garland Community Garden - November 2, 2015  Garland Texas 75040.  I think it may be some type of Swallowtail.  It looks most like a Spicebush swallowtail but without the distinctive white dots around the outside edges of its wings.

This time around Charlie got the monarch out of her condo.  Like the other Monarch this morning, she was reluctant to leave the human touch.

Charlie Bevilacqua with female Monarch - November 2, 2015 2:30pm - Garland Texas 75040

 This female was so friendly that she went from Charlie's hand to mine.  Although we released her near one of the flower beds, when she eventually took wing, she she flew high up to a branch in a nearby pecan tree.  I think perhaps her wing were not quite dry and she wanted a high safe place to finish the process.  Normally when butterflies are released they are hungry and will go to the nectar flowers for their food.

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THERE ARE STILL A FEW MONARCH RELEASE TALES TO BE TOLD HERE IN GARLAND, but this closes the chapter for this year on my rescues.  I think that at least two other Loving Garland Green members have Monarch chrysalises. Also, Loving Garland Green has delivered four or five Monarchs in various stages of their life cycle to Garland public schools.