Thanks anitamo, Lin, tabasco and Ann.
The numbers are lower this morning, and no doubt they're making their way to Point Pelee. I wish they'd stay just a little longer but I should be grateful that they came in the first place.
Tabasco, thank you for providing those very educational & useful links for us to look through. The history of the Urquhart couple's research was a good read!
I will post a link to the Butterfly Gardening forum as well. With so many forums and just a few that I frequent, I'm ashamed to admit that I forgot that we had one.
Is there a link for "And a good list of articles about the best larval host and nectar plants for Monarchs and other Butterflies" or was that in one of the other links?
Thank you,
Erynne
Monarch
Thanks for all the good pics. Beautiful sight. Dixie
Erynne,
Wow, wow, wow. I just popped in and I was awestruck that this event should take place in your backyard, and I was just there last week! I remember discussing the pros and cons of removing the tree. I guess you have 'been told' what should be done with the tree!! Oh, I would have loved to witness this. It's incredible and amazing is what it is.
I suppose they are all on their way now, are they?
Sandy
Hi Erynne,
I also just popped in here - have been slowly catching up since we got back from Japan. I'm speechless. I've had a few but I've never seen anything like that. Wow!
Ann
Oh, they're long gone now from here but I did see quite a few fluttering over a field in Oshawa on Sunday. Actually, we were driving and a Monarch hit the windshield pretty hard. It was unavoidable and after being so intrigued by these creatures, I've been bothered by it ever since.
I have never seen anything like this either Ann, and I hope that next year they will return and that I'll have a better camera or better photo skills .....or maybe I will just get Joan over here, lol!!
Sandy, you're right; the tree is staying.......want some leaves???lol
All my chrysalises have split with the flutterbies long gone. Didn't see a single one open. Guess was too busy elsewhere. Next year, next year. Somehow I need to keep this thread somewhere so I can go look at the wonderful pix in the midst of winter.
inanda
inanda
It will stay in the threads that you are watching and you can go back to it any time.
Joan
what a magnificent photo. Joan...Elaine
Thank you Elaine. I kinda surprised myself. ~:0)
Joan
Hi, again, Erynne-- I was going through my favorite links looking for Monarch migration info and I wondered how your butterfly watching is going for 2007.
The Monarch Migration should be kicking off now, and I thought maybe you could tell us about your count for this year... are you getting the monarchs to flock at your place again?
Our monarch numbers are down so far this summer, but our high count isn't until mid september according to the links... but of course we don't have anything like your numbers....
does anyone else have anything to report from Canada?....would love to know....
Interesting because I read somewhere that Monarch numbers are up this year. I've seen quite a few in my yard, but not recently. This pic was taken August 1.
Ann
Very timely post tabasco and hello!
The butterflies have returned!!! A few days ago I turned on the sprinkler way too high and when the water hit the lower branches of my trees, butterflies filled the skies. I didn't even know they were there and I don't know when they started to arrive because I haven't been home much but it seems to be on cue if I go by last year's dates. I will check again when I get home this evening and try to take pics. I do think the number of butterflies in my yard this time is less than what is was last year.... let's see if anymore come along and I will keep you posted!
I'm just happy they came back.....they sure seem to know "their" resting stop now! Very clever.
We have 7 or 8 clumps of milkweed in our guerrilla gardens. They were full of caterpillars. We kept collecting them onto one clump and keeping it covered with wire to keep out the birds. Finally we cut back a joe pye weed next to the milkweed for more space. The caterpillars went over there and many of them changed. It was amazing for the kids (and me) to see the change once they started turning into flutterbies so you could see the pattern of the wings. We have had far more butterflies this year than in past years.
Still quite a few around.
Inanda aka Ginny
Very interesting about the Monarchs gathering in the same place.
It is so fun to watch these nature cycles year after year--the ebb and flow--before I joined DG I didn't know a thing about butterflies and migration or their life cycle, either-- always something new to learn about here...
I will be watching this thread for updates. It won't be too long before we get a few (not so many as you) coming down from Canada.
I have only seen a few this year and am surpised to hear you have another flock Erynne. Maybe you're right and they have picked your place for a stopover on their way south.
The Upper Credit Field Naturalists are hosting an illustrated talk on Monarch Butterflies by Bruce Parker on Tuesday, September 27, at the Orangeville & District Senior Centre, 26 Bythia Street, Orangeville, Ont., from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The advertising flyer states: Bruce has been tagging Monarch Butterflies for almost 20 years. He will talk about the biology of the Monarch, details of their life cycle, their amazing migration, and the threats they face.
Non-members are welcome to attend the meeting. There's no charge (but a donation would be helpful).