"Little Wing"

This was the second year we raised butterflies from larvae. We raised several on our own and released them with cousins, and then Eliot's preschool teacher sent home another caterpillar for him to raise. Eliot named him "Little Wing." Little Wing's wings didn't develop properly and were a little folded at the top, which kept him from flying well. I kept hoping he'd get stronger and the problem would correct itself, but it didn't. So we kept Little Wing for a pet for longer than we would normally have kept butterflies inside because I couldn't bear to set him free knowing he couldn't fly well. The boys loved waking up and checking on him, feeding him watermelon, and taking him outside to see if he could fly yet. I love these pictures of the boys, especially the ones of Eliot helping Zach to hold Little Wing. Eventually we did set it free in an orchard not too far from us. It really is such a miracle to watch butterflies grow!