“Come to the Library right now. We have an incident.”
When Patagonia Library acting director Linda Shore got that phone call from library assistant Jade DeForest last Friday morning, she didn’t know what to think.
Luckily, it was all good news: The first of six monarch butterflies that were being “fostered” at the library was emerging from its chrysalis.
The story began nine days earlier when library clerk Anne Vogt found six monarch caterpillars on the milkweed she had planted near the pond on her Wood Canyon property. She had purchased the plants from the Borderlands Native Plant Nursery, on recommendation of Francesca Claverie, Native Plant Program director.
“Arizona milkweed is the monarchs’ favorite, and it definitely grows best around here,” Claverie said. Borderlands has grown a whole field of it this year, funded by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation fund.
Vogt carefully collected the caterpillars in a large net container, and transported them to the library, along with some milkweed. By the time they arrived, they had already attached themselves to the top of the netting.
Once their temporary home was stabilized, the caterpillars wasted no time proceeding with their transformation. Hanging upside down, they each formed themselves into a “J” and began to rotate slowly as they spun their green chrysalises, enveloping themselves in the process. “They only took about five minutes to do it,” Vogt said. “It was amazing!”
Eight days later, on Friday morning, the transformed creatures began to emerge as butterflies. Each one took about a minute to slip out of their chrysalis. Clinging to their former shell, they slowly expanded their wings to dry as they got their first look at the world as a butterfly.
By Saturday morning, all six had emerged, and it was important that they be released promptly. Monarchs typically go through four generations each year, with the last one migrating south to Mexico. The library crew believes these butterflies are part of the migrating generation.
On Saturday morning, Vogt, DeForest, Shore and her grandson Logan, and Mary Sky Schoolcraft, Community Garden co-manager, gathered to bid the butterflies fond farewells. The six monarchs left their enclosure and flew off to explore the vibrant flowers throughout the garden.
“It was such a beautiful experience to see them fly off,” DeForest said.
Jade DeForest, Logan Shore and Anne Vogt prepare to release monarch butterflies in Patagonia Community Garden. Photo by Mary Sky Schoolcraft 
Jade DeForest and Mary Sky Schoolcraft prepare to release the monarchs while Logan Shore looks on. Photo by Anne Vogt 
A butterfly pauses on Jade DeForest’s hand before flying off. Photo by Mary Sky Schoolcraft 
Butterfly fan James McKenzie visited the chrysalises with his mother, Amber, each day until they emerged. Photo by Mary Tolena