An Astonishing Upset at the AOG NJ Stadium!

Today started with four NJ Monarch Caterpillars all in the "J" position, preparing for their Transition Performance.  Number 4, seen here, was a long shot to medal, but found himself in position to claim the Bronze after # 1 was felled by Team Tachinid Fly (those sneaky things had laid eggs in poor # 1, spelling doom).  From top left, going clockwise... #4 showing excellent form in the downward position, attenae perfectly drooped, then starting to slowly peel off his striped suit in the next two shots, and finally, doing a fantastic rythmic jazz dance routine for his finale. Hubs joined me for this event and we joined the rest of the fans in giving #4 a standing ovation.  The only thing he missed a few marks on was that he was unable to shake off his striped costume completely (we'll help him with that in a day or so, once he's had time to celebrate).

Other highlights from today...

Team Wasp was severely admonished and their Northern Paper Wasp athletes were expelled after one of them was found eating one of the competitors (unfortunately, two of Team Monarch Cat were felled by the villainous wasps).  There is talk of permanently banning them from the Games...

Team Accipeter has also been banned after their star, Kitty Hawk (a Cooper's Hawk) was seen buzzing the practice arena twice, terrifying the Avian Teams as well as Team Chippie.  The only ones who weren't concerned were Team Hummie who continued to practice their aerial gymnastics routines, unfazed.

Although we've not yet seen Team Bee perform, their tiniest members are already practicing the flower dance - what a sight!

Team Titmouse is looking very good on the balance beam and Team Butterfly ...well, they are looking superb at just about everything.  

As always, I encourage you to check out all the other AOG reports from around the world - you won't be disappointed!
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Cheers, people.  This reporter is going to pour herself a glass of wine and sit on the patio!

Debbi

PS:  Monarch Diaries update:  I now have six chrysalids plus 3 large cats preparing to "J".  Two of the large cats went missing today, having somehow escaped from their enclosure - I found one on the bottom of one of our deck chairs and returned him.  The other one is probably j'd somewhere on the deck.  In the nursery, we now have 10 small (mostly second instar) cats, all happily eating milkweed and pooping up a storm.  One egg about to hatch and many more still on the milkweed in the garden.