What do you think?
Lately I've been seeing these "strange", "new" butterflies around the lantana and the butterfly bushes. Finally got a picture of one. I really, really, REALLY want it to be a Monarch (so, Monarch is the right answer).
Please Please Please Tell Me It's a Monarch
got a few more quick clips before he scooted off.
open wings
It looks like a male monarch to me. :-)
Your wish came true! Lovely shots.
~*~ Suenell
THANK YOU!!! I just knew someone would write back and say, "Oh, that's the blah, blah, orange speckled monarch wannabee" or something like that.
I STILL can't believe it! He was quite a distance away, and I just knew when I zoomed in to see him in the pic he'd be gulf frit (not that I don't love them, too) or something. (Oh, and BTW I just sat there snapping pics as long as he stayed in the area - so, I also have LOTS of bad pics.lol)
For years I've viewed other people's pics of Monarchs and wondered why, despite the fact that my yard is alive with the flutter of butterfly wings almost year round, I have never seen one.
Is he just passing through (migrating) or is it possible that he "lives" here? (hint: correct answer is anything that might lead him back next year preferably with his lady friends)
I have a lot of these shots. (LOL)
So now do I need to plant him some milkweed?
I was just checking around on the web. Found a migration map and some field data both of which showed that they are known to overwinter in Charleston, SC! Yay! Now I just have to figure out how to convince him to build his new home in my garden.
Hi scutler - Plant some milkweed and he WILL bring his lady friends back! The females will find your milkweed! :-)
Thanks, becky, I will order some seeds right away. I have a "semi-wild" area in the back corner of the garden - right where those butterfly bushes are. Each fall I sow a variety of wildflowers out there. It's my teensy-weensy wildflower "meadow". I think the back edge of the "meadow" and the adjoining bank will be a perfect secluded spot for the "nursery". I don't do much "clean-up" back there; I let the flowers reseed and leave the area to the birds, butterlies, bees, etc.
Super!
Scutler,
Have you ordered seeds yet? I'll just send you some A. Currasavica if you want.
Maggie
scutler--
love your pic of the monarch. If you are getting into Butterfly gardening, you might like the website "Monarch Watch" if you haven't found it already. Has lots of good information about the Milkweeds as Monarch host plants.
http://www.monarchwatch.org/ws/index.html
Margaran's "Asclepias currasavica" is easy to grow and a nice garden plant. Many say it is generally the favorite kind of milkweed for the monarchs. Even though currasavica is readily available in the States, it is native to Mexico and a perennial in tropical areas. Further north it is grown as an annual.
Another milkweed I like a lot that is 'flower garden' worthy is the A. tuberosa, which is grown as a perennial northern areas. It comes in orange and also a yellow variety (hello yello) and many people grow it just because it is a pretty plant and take the monarchs as a bonus.
Have fun.