Releasing the Butterflies

We had 9 out of 10 successful caterpillars to cocoons. ( The last one's wings just didn't develop all the way, so Shawn placed it on some flowers to live out the rest of it's life when we let the others go.)

Newly out of the cocoons. Jonas, Samantha and I actually saw one come out. Most of the time we just miss it.

The "hatching" is a little messy, but after we let them go, I just spray off the butterfly house with the hose and we're good to go for next year.

Everyone is anxious to watch them as they leave.

Trying to get a butterfly to sit on their fingers before they fly off.

Lots of photos of not a lot of action.

Unfortunately, we haven't planted any flowers in the yard yet, so all of the butterflies promptly flew across the street to our neighbors yard to enjoy his bounty. Generally, if we have flowers, they will stick around for a few days. Oh well, there's always next year.