I never know where to draw the line -- technically, I have 28 chrysalises hanging as the result of a couple of overwinter survivors (my friend has 11 more from the same group that she helped raise), but I feel like the first of the season should start with the migration.

A week ago yesterday, I had a faded female visit my garden. Yesterday, I found three hatchlings. They are so cute when they have just earned their stripes. I will be a bit surprised if I don't find more, but I will actually be happy to get the 28 butterflies (I hope - if all goes well) out of the way before I start another large group. My plants could use a little more recovery time too.

A friend of mine spotted another Monarch flying by her yard over the weekend, but she didn't see it stop. She lives a few miles south of me, but I hope to start seeing them here any time now. They don't have to start laying eggs right away though. LOL I know they will, but if they want to just hang out, flit around the pool and enjoy the expanded nectar plantings, it will be alright with me. ;-)