Walking with the Butterfly Whisperer

Earlier this spring, I was mowing and happened to catch Bear doing what I can only describe as the wavy arm motion from Angels in the Outfield. What the HECK???? Upon further exploring, she had discovered a newly hatched butterfly and was trying her best to teach it how to fly. Well, I just couldn't let this go without my camera, so I hopped off the mower and scrambled inside to document this lovely moment. I came back out to screaming and tears. Sadie had decided to "help" by giving Mr/Miss Butterfly big licks. NOT so good on butterfly wings! I shooed Sadie away, and she was a bit hurt that her help was not as appreciated as she thought it would have been.

Ok, NOW WHAT MOM! was the look coming from my bewildered child. Butterflies like flowers right? At the time we had an abundance of dandelions, so she plucked on of those, I scooped up our new cause, placed it in her hands and on the dandelion, and we headed for the "fort."

After some TLC, grass, shade, and a FEW sprinkles of water, our little friend started feeling sociable and curious. So he/she took a little walk on BEAR~! She was so good at holding still, in between giggles because its little feet tickled with each step.

It climbed all the way up Bear's arm to her hair, and she loved every minute if it. She just kept talking to it with encouraging words, our Butterfly Whisperer!

He/She stayed up in the fort most of the day until it was able to understand how its wings worked, and by late afternoon, our little friend was off to find more flowers and do what butterflies do! Thanks Butterfly for flying in our Bear's heart and leaving such a wonderful imprint! BTW How does one tell if this is a male or female?