Saturday, March 01, 2008

A butterfly in February


A butterfly emerged out of its chrysalid in class this week as I read to my students. I brought a butterfly cage back into the classroom and fed it all the while knowing that we could not release a black swallowtail at this time of year. It feeds on lilac nectar. Everytime I handle it to feed it sugar water it loses a few more scales off its gorgeous wings.

Vincent, age 10, was the student who brought the chrysalid inside last fall. He has since learned to mount butterflies in frames. He brought our little friend home and put it in the freezer. It, actually she, would have frozen had we released her outside. It was minus 22 C yesterday and no lilac blooms in view. The average snowbank is up to my shoulder and it is still snowing.
We were graced by her fleeting beauty.

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