Well, I'm back home in North Carolina after my trip up to the Northeast. Of course one of the first things a gardener does when they get home is check the garden. (Is everything still alive? Have I lost any more plants to my
serial killer Vole? No? Phew!!)
Then I wonder, did the Monarch butterfly I
saw up in New Jersey beat me back home? Who won the race? Are there any Monarchs in the garden? Well, I don't see any orange and black butterflies fluttering around in the garden in a taunting manner, but I do spy something possibly even better.........
baby Monarchs!
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| Monarch caterpillars on milkweed |
A monarch has laid eggs on my milkweed plants, and now I have several little hungry caterpillar babies enjoying the feast. The monarch must have visited just last week - it only takes
3 to 5 days for an egg to hatch, and my caterpillars were still pretty young. With any luck, some of these caterpillars will grow up to be butterflies and take their place in the yearly pilgrimage to the
mountains of central Mexico to spend the winter.
Ah, but what is this flying into the garden?
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| Monarch butterfly on butterfly bush |
You haven't by chance just flown in from New Jersey, have you?
Either way, having a monarch here in my garden is a win!
linking with
Mosaic Monday
It's like magic, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt really is magical. Today I saw a monarch laying eggs on some milkweed. It's so neat to see part of the cycle!
DeleteYes, you did, I'm glad too, Indie!
ReplyDeleteThank you :) It's always a win when there's butterflies in the garden!
DeleteI just love your photos of the monarchs and caterpillars. Fantastic mosaics too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love taking photos and playing with them.
DeleteWonderful luck to have them all...the drought has kept the eggs to a minimum here so no babies this year...wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the drought is really going to affect the numbers :( This drought has really taken a toll.
DeleteSplendid shots of the Monarch and its babies. I hope you would be able to follow the complete life cycle. You are lucky to have such a pretty visitor.
ReplyDeleteI just hope that the birds won't get to all the caterpillars and we'll get some butterflies out of it! That would be great to see some chrysalises.
DeleteThey are some of the most amazing creatures and their migration story is incredible. What great captures...hope that all your little monarchs do well.
ReplyDeleteIt's so amazing that the monarchs know how to go to the same exact place for the winter as their great-great-grandparents did! Very incredible!
DeleteCongratulations on the caterpillars! Beautiful photos of the Monarch; they are such magnificent creatures.
ReplyDeleteThank you! They are so beautiful!
DeleteI love the evolution of the butterfly. Valerie
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to watch - I hope we get to see some form chrysalises!
DeleteWhat a treat to see the caterpillars. I can see why you were a happy camper. Pretty images of the Monarchs too.
ReplyDeleteI had some monarchs lay eggs on my milkweed today. I thrilled to get so many caterpillars!
DeleteIndie,
ReplyDeleteNot to bust your bubble, but the Monarchs flying in your garden at the very time are not migratory ones. But those eggs might just be the generation that does migrate! Meg now has 26 Black Swallowtail chrysalises in her classroom all the cats are done!
Ah, and here I thought they were just a little early this year! Good to know.
DeleteWow, that's a lot of chrysalises - how fun! My kids have collected some black swallowtail caterpillars and are having so much fun watching them.
I spotted my first monarch in my garden today! So excited! I hope I hope she will lay eggs and I see caterpillars soon.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some caterpillars too! It is so exciting!
DeleteThere are a few monarchs here in Michigan. I'll check the milkweed to see if there are any caterpillars but it seems late for Michigan.
ReplyDeleteI hope you see some!
DeleteI check mine everyday but so far... nothing. So glad you have babies!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the visit... the hole is now covered. :)
I hope you get some too!
DeleteI look forward to seeing what you put there!
Amazing! I haven't seen any monarchs yet, but I hope yours goes through here on its way to Mexico!
ReplyDeleteThey should be coming your way at some point this fall! I hope you get to see a lot!
DeleteFabulous photos Indie xx
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, Jane :)
DeleteWelcome home, and lucky you with the Monarchs!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home and the caterpillar, Monarch images are wonderful, do you not just love them!!!
ReplyDelete