This young citizen scientist reacted with delight as he launched a tagged Monarch Saturday morning at Beagle Ridge Herb Farm.
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Monarch Watch tags were applied to each butterfly. Those that are found help scientists at the University of Kansas learn where and when the monarch was released, its sex, and wing measurements.
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Ellen Reynolds, an owner of Beagle Ridge Herb Farm, taught each participant how to safely hold a monarch for tagging.
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
In the farm's butterfly house, every plant serves as food or a host for butterflies.
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Nets were used to safely catch the monarchs.
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
Several caterpillars were munching on a milkweed leaf on a recent Saturday morning.
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger
As millions of monarchs – all that live east of the Rockies -- are making their journey to Mexico for the winter, multiple individuals and groups have launched locally raised monarchs on their way.
Monarch Watch tags were applied to each butterfly. Those that are found help scientists at the University of Kansas learn where and when the monarch was released, its sex, and wing measurements.
Stephanie Porter-Nichols/Smyth County News & Messenger