Monarch butterfly

Monarch butterfly, originally uploaded by Hazelnutgirl.

We like to have lots of swan plants in our garden and consequently produce lots and lots of Monarch butterflies! This year there were so many plants scattered throughout the garden we were finding chrysalises on all sorts of things, including the underneath of rhubarb leaves and on the bean plants. When they get harvested accidentally we bring them in to hatch. We've had 5 so far. This one came out last week, while we weren't looking of course! They really are quite gorgeous, although this one didn't want to open his wings to show me the true glory, but he looked quite striking against the red glass jug we had the leaves draped across (and the one tied on to the paintbrush handle).