No, it’s not the usual spring time egg hunt. We are not searching for chicken or duck eggs, or even for chocolate or other candied eggs. Those hunts are relatively easy. This hunt requires sharp eyes and a delicate touch. A small magnifying glass is a handy item to have with you.

This time of year – mid July into August is the time to hunt for the eggs of the monarch butterfly. The monarch lays eggs on the underside of the leaves of the milkweed plant. Lift and turn gently one leaf at a time. Look carefully, this tiny white egg is no larger than the head of a common pin. Usually, only one egg will be found on a leaf, but it does show up well against the rich green of the leaf.

Remove the leaf with the egg very carefully, perhaps with part of the stem. Place it in a clear plastic or glass jar, adding another leaf or two and even a twig. Use screening or a cover with air holes. Place the jar so it receives good daylight on a porch or by a window but no sun.

From this point take care of your monarch the same as you would the caterpillars that come with the commercial butterfly gardens or kits. If you have had no experience with those (most of which have the very pretty painted lady butterfly) you can find simple directions in many books.

One of the best books for all ages is Monarch Butterfly, by Gail Gibbons. Her illustrations, labels, descriptions, etc. are very clear and interesting. Beginning readers can easily follow her directions.

As far as conversation with your new-found friend, the monarch, there is this plus. Though monarchs might not answer your questions (they are very young, you know), at least they don’t talk back.