Butterflies!!

Just under two weeks ago, the caterpillars shed their last layer of skin and then hardened into their chrysalis states! After a bit of shaking on the first few days, which is a natural process to warn off predators, we put them in their pop-up habitat and they hadn't seemed to do much for over a week now!

 Look at the beautiful gold flecks on them!

But, Reception children at White Mere know better than that! We know that inside the chrysalis, each caterpillar had changed into a liquid, ready to reform and emerge as butterflies!

As we were lined up and about to leave yesterday afternoon (Friday 26th - day 23), someone suddenly called out, 'Butterflies!' To our amazement, three beautiful 'Painted Ladies' had come out!

Friday afternoon there were 3...

Saturday morning - now there are 5! 

Keep checking for updates! They are now resting and letting their wings dry off and have a feast of orange segments, flowers and nectar (sugar water) in the bottom of their habitat. In the next few days we will be releasing them so they can begin the whole life cycle again!

Feel free to bring in some potted flowers for our Early Years yard so they can stick around for a bit.