A monarch caterpillar enters a new phase of life as it sheds its skin to grow bigger. The western population of Monarch butterflies is in freefall but we can all help by planting milkweed, the only source of food for the larvae. I was fortunate to see the female laying eggs on the plants in our yard and gathered some to raise inside, away from predators. It is a fascinating process to watch and I can't wait to let the butterflies free to help grow the population.