Raising Monarchs

[Les]

Four years ago I harvested milkweed seeds, started the seedlings and planted them out.  Finally, I have Monarch eggs on these plants.  Currently have about 30 cats and eggs in my little butterfly house.  Can't wait for the first one to go into chrysalis and become a butterfly. 

[neillsayers]

Wow, Les, how cool!

[Bakersdozen]

That's wonderful, Les!  Good for you!  The last two years I have focused on planting more milkweed.  I have noticed an increase in Monarchs this year.
I have been asked to represent my local bee club at a near by Monarch event.  It will be next month and it's called Hasta Luego Monarchs.  Isn't that a cute title for this event?  Since the Monarchs are about to make the trip to Mexico, I thought it was really appropriate. 

[riverbee]

very cool les! will be looking forward to any update!

[Les]

One of the Monarch caterpillars I am raising, changing over to chrysalis.  Many think that the caterpillar changes but actually the chrysalis has always been there, just under the skin.  What is extremely fascinating is that once it becomes a chrysalis, the inside turns into a liquid goo.  Within 10-12 days this goo develops into a Monarch butterfly.  This blows my mind..... 10-12 days the cells restructure into a butterfly.  Nature is amazing!

[Jen]

Les, isn't it absolutely incredible. I raised 7 monarchs last summer, clearly one of the most fascinating experiences for me.

[Les]

Jen, it has been an awesome experience.  I am just worried that hurricane Harvey has not disrupted their migratory return to Mexico.  So much of their necessary vegetation was wiped out.  I am not lessening the impact this had humans, just bringing up the reminder that so many creatures have or will be impacted by this terrible, terrible hurricane

[riverbee]

les, great video!

[Wandering Man]

Amazing.  Thanks for posting.

Believe it or not, there is still a lot of vegetation around, including some (only a few) blossoms.  I speak for milkweed, however.  But that's just because I haven't found any in my neighborhood.

The Crepe Myrtle is trying to fight back, with new leaves popping out.  I don't know if we'll get another bloom before cold weather.

We are feeding the humming birds, since they apparently are also finding food to be in short supply and are likewise heading for Mexico or South America.

[Les]

Wandering Man, so glad to hear you are feeding the hummers!

[Wandering Man]

Wandering Man, so glad to hear you are feeding the hummers!

They multiply, depending on how many feeders you put out.

I spotted one hummer and so put out one Feeder.

The next day, we had three hummers, so we put out two feeders.

Then there were six hummers, and we put out a third Feeder.

Now we have something over 15 hummers.

I've told my neighbors to put out their feeders, but am feeling pressured to put out another.

[Les]

WM what breed hummer do you have?  We only have Ruby Throats and they are so territorial only one can be on a feeder at a time.  If I set up two feeders, they have to be on opposite sides of our sunroom so they can't see the other feeder.

[Wandering Man]

I'm not sure who these little guys are.  We usually have the Ruby Throated humming birds, but these hummers are less territorial.  Green backs with white throats?

Maybe Rufous?







On Edit: It is possible they are Rubys.  Either female, or maybe their necks aren't as bright in the Fall? 

Scroll down abit on the page this link takes you to, and you'll see some Rubys that look like the ones attacking my feeders:

http://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/ruby-throated-hummingbird.htm

[Les]

If they look like this, it's a female Ruby.  The boys keep their red throats year round.

[riverbee]

wm, like les said, they are females. females get along at the feeders, it's the boys that are aggressive, except when the females outnumber the males.