Back to the Gem

A bee visiting a bright orange flower in the Gem’s garden — A busy visitor in the flowers.

NATURE AT THE GEM

Look what
we found.

There’s a lot going on out here when you stop for a closer look. Here are a few recent sightings around the property.

Take a closer look

SPOTTED AT THE GEM

Monarchs in the garden.

From caterpillar to butterfly, right here in the garden.

A black, yellow, and white striped caterpillar stretched along a narrow green leaf — Out on a leaf.
A close-up of those black, white, and yellow stripes.

A green chrysalis with a fine row of gold-colored dots hanging from a plant stem — A chrysalis, up close.
A tiny row of gold-colored dots along the green casing.

Orange and black monarch wings visible through a dark chrysalis hanging beside a plant stem — The wings are showing.
Orange and black wings visible through the chrysalis.
See another angle

Another view of a dark monarch chrysalis with orange wing markings visible inside — The wings are showing.
Orange and black wings visible through the chrysalis.
See another angle

A newly emerged monarch butterfly resting on a green stem beside its empty chrysalis — A butterfly at last.
Emerged October 17, 2026.

A few other neighbors.

Some are easier to spot than others.

An orange butterfly resting among green leaves against the blue sky — A butterfly resting in the trees.

A green praying mantis peering out between leaves — A mantis with a very good hiding place.

All photos taken by Gwenn, right here at the Gem.

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