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Post by horsea on Jun 22, 2014 11:40:43 GMT -5
When I stepped out of the house this morning (nice and sunny day so far), what do you suppose was sitting right there on the step smack in front of me?
Yes, folks, a Monarch Butterfly! They are apparently in trouble and numbers are greatly down over the past couple of years. Anyway, I followed this one around a bit till I lost track of it.
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Post by stratcat on Jun 22, 2014 12:10:55 GMT -5
They are a joy. I've seen exactly one Monarch this year and that was on 29 May. Had to check my journal; they are important to me. Ten years ago, I grew some sweet corn in the backyard. I let some milkweed grow in there, as opposed to hiding something else the kids would be growing. I have a square of Butterfly Weed out back for them.
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elliemater
Pro Member
Posts: 226
Joined: June 2014
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Post by elliemater on Jun 22, 2014 12:37:17 GMT -5
They are so special! About 30 (?) miles from my home, right on the Gulf in Navarre, FL there is an annual release of the Monarch butterflies held in November. My daughter and her best friend love to go.
Over here we get a number of butterfly friends every year. Here is the Eastern Swallowtail (who decimates my dill and fennel!).
September -November are our big months for seeing butterflies.
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Post by horsea on Jun 22, 2014 19:11:11 GMT -5
Tks for replies, everyone. Part of our land is really low & damp and I found 1/2 a dozen Swamp Milkweed only about 40 ft. from our house! So, the Monarchs know they're there! I always took monarchs for granted.
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Post by bestofour on Jul 10, 2014 21:47:12 GMT -5
We have milkweed in our field. Butterflies are so beautiful. Thanks for starting this thread.
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Post by stratcat on Jul 10, 2014 22:03:04 GMT -5
Good news. I saw my second Monarch today!
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elliemater
Pro Member
Posts: 226
Joined: June 2014
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Post by elliemater on Jul 10, 2014 22:26:28 GMT -5
I wish I had my camera in hand today! My Meyer's Lemon tree is in a large pot just outside the back French doors. While I was looking out, a huge Giant Swallowtail butterfly came to the little tree, and with a tap of her bottom, laid a single egg before flying off. I opened the door to look, and there it was, the little cream colored egg, just waiting to hatch and eat all of my lemon leaves.
This is exactly what she looked like:
Well, given that the egg is right amidst some leaves riddled with citrus leafminer, I might let him stay and eat those up. Just have to be careful, they are such piggies and the little tree is struggling to make a comeback after this hard winter.
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Post by stratcat on Jul 11, 2014 15:04:42 GMT -5
And a third one today in the flowers. Yay!!!!!
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Post by stratcat on Sept 6, 2014 9:51:14 GMT -5
This week I saw a Monarch on Wednesday and another one on Friday. That makes five sightings for sure.
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Post by stratcat on Sept 16, 2014 16:06:02 GMT -5
Just saw Monarch number six on some blooming perennial sunflowers in my backyard. Then it flew right near me.
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Post by w8in4dave on Sept 17, 2014 10:04:51 GMT -5
Seen a beauty the other day someone was pointing out to me, by the time I saw it I almost stepped on it. Lucky for me I didn't.
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