Have you ever seen four hundred Monarch and Painted Lady Butterflies being released into the air at the same time? It’s a moving experience…and also a learning one.
This will be the second year for the Community Cancer Center’s Butterfly Release on Saturday, July 22 with registration starting at 9 a.m. and the release at 10:00 a.m. The event, in the center’s healing gardens, is a sight you and your children will remember for a long time.
The Lifecycle Process
Last year, many butterflies landed briefly on those who released them and then migrated to the many flowers now in the healing gardens and butterfly plantings. A number of Monarchs stayed to lay eggs. These produced caterpillars and the cycle of life continued.
Eggs hatch into larvae in about four days and the larvae begin to eat the milkweed planted just for them. They turn into caterpillars, attaching themselves to stems and leaves. They transform themselves into a chrysalis that holds the caterpillar until it emerges as a beautiful butterfly.
Although most Monarchs live only a few short weeks, the last or fourth generation witnessed in September or October migrates to Mexico or California in the West. It will live six to eight months until the four-generation life cycle starts again the next year.
Join the Fun
You have the opportunity to join in the fun and miracle of the butterfly release at the Community Cancer Center. For just $25.00, you can release a butterfly in memory or honor of someone. Proceeds go to benefit the gardens and their upkeep.
To register online, go to www.cancercenter.org and look for the butterfly sign up section.
Since you can walk through the center’s butterfly gardens at any time, you’ll have the opportunity to return with your children and see what’s happening in the gardens. Will you see winged beauties or perhaps a caterpillar or chrysalis?
Attending the butterfly release and then following up with several visits over the course of the summer and early fall can be a great local outing for you and your family. Don’t forget to take your camera.
Deanna Frautschi is a local Naturalist who is passionate about connecting families with nature. Using her knowledge of wildlife and her photography skills, she helps others enjoy the nature around them. If you have any questions about exploring nature with your children and grandchildren, you may contact Deanna at Decardinal@aol.com. Join the hundreds who follow her on Facebook where she posts photographs and short video clips of birds and other wildlife taken on her travels as well as in her yard. You can also join her "Nature Lady Lessons" and "Hummingbirds Anonymous" Facebook group pages.
Photos by Deanna Frautschi.
