An Important Personal Project is Working!
In recent years, the absence of BUTTERFLIES in places one expects to see them … has been alarming, consequently, I have taken it upon myself, to, where and when I find a caterpillar, take it home, place in a large bottle, include appropriate food (dill, milkweed, etc. depending on the species need).
Once a caterpillar forms its chrysalis, I wait hopefully for the emerging adult butterfly, allow its wings to harden … and set it free in my garden (of multiple flower species), hoping that it (or a mate) will lay eggs on leaves or stems therein.
Recently, I have released a Black Swallowtail Butterfly, a Tiger Swallowtail and an Monarch. While I cannot swear to it being one of "mine" … a Monarch Butterfly has just deposited hundreds of eggs on my milkweed plants …
I AM A HAPPY CAMPER … and now have, in one of the jars, several of the egg-laden milkweed leaves … each one holding a caterpillar-to-be!
When I release a butterfly, I place it on one of my garden flowers … and, you know me … take a picture.
Like any proud DAD (even a surrogate one), I will start forcing my kid-pictures on you.
Black Swallowtail on Tickseed Flower
© A. Mac/A.G.
Tiger Swallowtail on Zinnia Flower
© A. Mac/A.G.
Monarch Butterfly Female, Cosmos Flower
© A. Mac/A.G.
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Every boy needs a hobby.
More pictures of my kids to follow.
Beautiful photos of beautiful subjects - how can one miss?
Nice. The only ones I have seen around here lately were blue. Two of them together.
I thought the monarchs migrated.
Monarchs do migrate …
Migration of the Monarch Butterfly. ... The monarch butterflies will spend their winter hibernation in Mexico and some parts of Southern California where it is warm all year long. If the monarch lives in the Eastern states, usually east of the Rocky Mountains, it will migrate to Mexico and hibernate in oyamel fir trees.
In recent years, the speculation has been that fires in Mexico destroyed both Monarch habitat and individuals. I look for their eggs on milkweed plants usually at the beginning to middle of August.
Great work and great photos, Mac.
Thank you … got more to come.
this is a good thing you are doing
Did anyone say they had to be REAL butterflies?
Absolutely love what you're doing Mac! Butterflies are my favorites...second picture is gorgeous!
Will shortly head outside with my camera to photograph the hundreds of Monarch eggs from which the smallest imaginable caterpillars have begun to emerge … will post the pix.
Posted a third photo … one of my flowers and one of my butterflies.
Perfect!
Add this beauty to the other two...A trifecta!!!!
But wait … there's more to come.