Catch of the Day: Sitting Among Monarchs

Northampton, Massachusetts
August 2024

Monarch butterflies have been a presence throughout my life. As a child, I was taught to identify them and I learned that they bred on milkweed, producing black-yellow-white striped larvae and pale green chrysalises adorned with golden flecks. No one had to teach me that they were magical.

At the last place I lived in Western Massachusetts in 2001, the homeowner had planted a meadow of milkweed specifically to attract monarchs. I recall sitting on the backdoor stoop during warm summer days watching dozens of butterflies flit above and between milkweed stalks. Later, living in the Santa Cruz area of California I delightfully discovered the throngs of monarchs that overwinter in trees along the coast. (See my post: https://carlabrennan.com/catch-of-the-day-the-butterflies-are-back/)

Now back visiting in western Massachusetts, I am again sitting among monarchs. In a butterfly bush in the backyard, these gorgeous insects go about their life cycle, preparing to leave soon for their long winter journey to Mexico.