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Five Minutes Old
 
Newly eclosed Monarch clings to my index finger,it's abdomen still swollen with the fluid it will pump into it's wings to expand them

Each fall, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to overwintering areas in Mexico and California where they wait out the winter until conditions favor a return flight in the spring. The monarch migration is truly one of the world's greatest natural wonders, yet it is threatened by habitat loss in North America - at the overwintering sites and throughout the spring and summer breeding range as well.

Monarch Waystation Habitats

Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world.

COMMENTS
Debdog said at 4:55 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
I had seven that were born today :)
Tishfish said at 4:55 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
I just love seeing the butterflies in the summer. There has only been a few here of the monarch, but they didn't lite on anything, just kept going. This is so beautiful Deb ! !
Debdog said at 4:56 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
I created a Monarch Waystation at home :) TONS of milkweed in my gardens, now I need to register my site.
Debdog said at 4:57 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
lots of visitors :)
Debdog said at 5:02 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
more to come...
Lifequest22 said at 5:55 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
Congrats on the new kids. I have lots of milkweed too. The clarity in the shot is excellent.
ConnieL said at 5:55 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
This is neat, Deb! Because of you I'm very aware of milkweed around here...happy to say there are several nice sized patches.
Gaylet said at 5:57 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
Lovely...
YonderCreature said at 6:08 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
Welcome to thw world, little ones! Your beautiful tabblo reminds me of this amazing song: "Butterfly" by Mia Makaroff----a song sung in accapella--absolutely astounding. Heard of it before?

Anyways, I love how you've captured this miraculous moment with your camera with such sharp clarity!
Sd14 said at 6:12 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
Hi Debra Lovely to see you have continued with your adopted angels this year well done & they have wings too so delicate so pretty always a joy to see all species even the cabbage white altho he sets his eggs on my greens when you have a large hatch of them photo & show us would love to see tham,
JoE
Wildthing said at 6:21 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
What a great endeavor. Glad to see you have continued with a waystation for these beautiful butterflies. Terrific macro shot, Deb.
Debdog said at 7:51 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
thanks all...hand held shot with an 18-135mm lens...great ealy morning light to show it off...i will show more of them,,,there were too many bugs in tabblo today.:)
Debdog said at 7:59 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
I aslo saw some Gulf Frittilary butterflies laying eggs on my passion flower vines !:) OH BOY!!!!
Debdog said at 8:02 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
hi Joe, and thanks :)ALL of you :)
Hhwind said at 8:26 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
Debbie you are doing a fantastic job for the monarchs. A great shot. Have heard and read about the monarchs and their migration, its fabulous, as the butterflies in my country usually have a life span of about two weeks during adulthood.
Cowgirl said at 8:55 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
how sweet................
Debdog said at 11:54 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
thanks Teo and Bobbie :)
Btk76 said at 11:57 p.m. on Aug 6, 2009:
good shot Deb
Noe said at 12:44 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
Wow... what a nice moment Deb, beautiful macro!! And the info it's very good too :o)
Lageho said at 1:00 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
Great photo Debbie. Only five minutes and already so nice.
Karsten said at 1:26 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
hey Deb! What a wonderful macro! I´ve seen them here in mexico when they migrate - a forest full of them...you are walking in a cloud of butterfies - it´s spectacular - and it´s marvoulous to see them when they are born.. with your fotos - such a great job you´r doing! Thanks !!!
Swedfinn said at 1:40 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
Thank You "Mrs.Butterfly" for sharing this : )5 minutes is sometimes enough for miracles. Excellent macro and i really appreciate your work for butterflies; )
Chilla said at 3:04 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
Congratulations Debbie on another successful breeding year! I remember wellyou Tabblos from last year. This is a cute young butterfly and excellent picture!
Maybi said at 3:38 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
This is the sort of picture that makes my spirit lift, and the kind of notes that give me hope for the future of the insect world. Thank you.
Welshchick said at 4:14 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
Oh, last year I called you Madame Butterfly...I was thinking of the opera but it's really "MAMA BUTTERFLY" that suits you best because you so tenderly nurture your butterfly children~~ ;^) I ADORE THE QUOTE~ and I must say "You, of all people, have COME ALIVE" dear Deb! BIG HUGS! XOXOXOXOXOO
WEIMAR said at 7:54 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
this is very good, I can image this small special butterfly, Thanks very much
Erich said at 7:58 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
what a facinating shot!!!!Thanks..
Tractorbabe said at 9:01 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
Great shot! Love that you can still see the wrinkles in the wings.....
NeusinhaGedoz said at 9:03 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
DEB, thanks for this lovely picture and the lesson of Sciences Natuarais. Beautiful, beautiful.
Chaitiamma said at 11:29 a.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
Amazing !!!
DanMan said at 5:58 p.m. on Aug 7, 2009:
Excellent capture!
MichelleMc said at 6:12 a.m. on Aug 8, 2009:
Beautiful! Congrats on such a moving shot!
Fabio_DL said at 12:33 p.m. on Aug 8, 2009:
Dear Deb, I am proud of your work as a photographer and as a citizen of our World! Thanks so much!
Fabio_DL said at 12:34 p.m. on Aug 8, 2009:
The age conveys the fragility of such marvelous creatures! Perfect!
Candlepower said at 4:20 p.m. on Aug 9, 2009:
Such a tender small cheacher to travel so far. A Flying flower with toughess and beauty. Excellent shot!
Debdog said at 11:48 p.m. on Aug 9, 2009:
hi!!!!! thanks so much all of you!!!!!!! a lot of things happened in the past week ,and i have have not been on as much...be back soon :)
Snooway said at 11:35 p.m. on Aug 10, 2009:
lovely butterfly, LIFE at its best
Debdog said at 4:36 p.m. on Aug 11, 2009:
thank you!!!
Merja-zerga said at 8:20 p.m. on Aug 11, 2009:
Une belle naissance pour une existence trop éphémère.
Merci Debbie.
ThierryKarine
Drmousumi said at 10:58 a.m. on Aug 13, 2009:
Simply wonderful!
Loes said at 5:00 p.m. on Aug 13, 2009:
So beautiful, so fragile, great shot Debbie!
Debdog said at 11:10 p.m. on Aug 13, 2009:
thanks to you all! i really appreciate it :)
Debdog said at 11:12 p.m. on Aug 13, 2009:
they accepted my submission to have my home an "OFFICIAL" Monarch Waystation...i even get a metal 9x12 sign to put in the yard! :)
Rod38 said at 2:59 a.m. on Aug 14, 2009:
Wonderful creation of God! So beautiful. You are certainly bringing their beauty to our awareness. Thanks Deb.
Catmagneto0257 said at 7:46 a.m. on Aug 14, 2009:
Deb, you are certainly becoming a butterfly expert,I am glad you are doing so much for our small beaytiful creatures,they need all the help they can get!!! I can't imagine a world without them.
Debdog said at 4:56 p.m. on Aug 14, 2009:
thanks Rod, and thanks Dad!!!x
Bluebluesky said at 7:39 a.m. on Aug 15, 2009:
Just gorgeous!
HtD said at 9:53 a.m. on Aug 15, 2009:
This is a beautiful shot from the Monarch. I like it Debra.
Debdog said at 7:03 p.m. on Aug 15, 2009:
thanks bluesky and Henk :)
Memotions said at 9:06 p.m. on Aug 19, 2009:
You make a great Monarch Mum, Deb. :)
Debdog said at 10:05 p.m. on Aug 19, 2009:
lol! thanks Patty :)
Gerardfotografeert said at 5:00 p.m. on Sep 8, 2009:
Just WOW. How amazing.
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