She finally hatched!

Do any of you remember the butterfly chrysalis I posted back on February 27th?  It was rescued from the roadside mowers by my friend Madeline. I have been babysitting it since February. I was afraid it might not hatch, as Madeline told me to expect it hatch around May 1. Well, she may be a late bloomer, but she’s a beauty! I snapped a quick photo while she was still moving a little slowly, and then let her go. She fluttered off like a pro. What a beautiful creature! I am so relieved my little charge survived the winter (and the mowers).

female black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes)