So, my garden has been built as haven for pollinators. I revel each day in all of the insects and wildlife that come to visit. The finches hang upside down, pulling seeds from the sunflowers. Hummingbirds visit and feed off of all of the flowers that were planted especially in their honor. The milkweeds, Joe Pye Weed, and the zinnias are a constant hub of activity for carpenter and bumble bees, native and honey bees. The Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower) is inundated with Swallowtails and other butterflies. This morning, there were literally DOZENS of swallowtails on those gorgeous, orange flowers! It was a sight to see and just filled my heart with joy!
Not to be forgotten, the Monarchs are here, too. Though I am not seeing them in the numbers I did last year, not a day goes by that I don't see one. Each time one visits, I run to check whether it is a male or female. If it is a female, I know to go searching for treasure - eggs! And everyday, I am finding larvae and eggs on the milkweed.
I have quite the growing Monarch brood in my living room. About 4 dozen are quiet - in chrysalis. Though I am now giving out larvae for friends to raise larvae with their families, I still have several dozen happily munching on milkweed on a borrowed table in my living room. It seems like as soon as I give some away, I immediately am able to replace them with new ones that I have found. I should be launching my first adult Monarch by Saturday. I cannot wait to watch it soar!
Not to be forgotten, the Monarchs are here, too. Though I am not seeing them in the numbers I did last year, not a day goes by that I don't see one. Each time one visits, I run to check whether it is a male or female. If it is a female, I know to go searching for treasure - eggs! And everyday, I am finding larvae and eggs on the milkweed.
I have quite the growing Monarch brood in my living room. About 4 dozen are quiet - in chrysalis. Though I am now giving out larvae for friends to raise larvae with their families, I still have several dozen happily munching on milkweed on a borrowed table in my living room. It seems like as soon as I give some away, I immediately am able to replace them with new ones that I have found. I should be launching my first adult Monarch by Saturday. I cannot wait to watch it soar!
Female Monarch on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swallowtail City - Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia)
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