Mrs. Darcy

I <3 butterflies. :) 

In 2010 I found a Monarch butterfly sitting in a Wal-Mart parking lot.  I walked over to it and touched it to try and make it fly away so it wouldn't get run-over. It couldn't fly very far, so I took it home so he wouldn't get hurt. :) I adopted him and named him Erik (after the Phantom of the Opera). He had a wounded wing so although he could flutter around, he couldn't fly very well, so I took care of him! I would feed him homemade nectar (four parts water one part sugar). He lived for several months in my room (in a net / container for butterflies) and I really enjoyed the time I was able to spend with him! 

Today while on a walk Mom and I found this Spicebush Swallowtail. I named "him" Erik II / Mr. Darcy (I'm reading Pride and Prejudice at the moment) but then researched a little on the internet to discover the blue spots on the butterfly mean she is a girl! Meet Mrs. Emma Woodhouse Darcy! 

She is missing a leg and doesn't seem to fly very far. For several minutes she was content to sit on my wrist while I FaceBooked. Her proboscis (tongue) doesn't seem to curl all the way into her head but she was able to extend her tongue to drink some homemade nectar off my hand today. I was really excited because she hadn't drunk anything (that I knew of) since I brought her home earlier this afternoon. 

Anyway, sorry I'm posting so much...  I have a You Requested post below and the giveaway ends soon, so I will have to get out my paper, pen and hat! (Yes, I am old-fashioned! :D) 

"Klarabelle" (& Emma) 

Update: Wow, she closed her wings for the first time! Maybe she's asleep :)