DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 18

Gorgeous cats, and a nice chrysilis to boot, James!!

Funny, but I miss my cats, now that all but three are quietly nestled away in their chrysalises. Can only imagine what it will be like when this one ecloses...

Bite your tongue, Sheila!! It cannot eclose until after 6:20 tomorrow morning, ok? Cori and I have to witness this. We've already decided that I'll take Cori to school late if it is in the process when we have to leave at 8:00, and well, my attorneys don't even get in until after 11:00, so they won't even miss me.

One last picture, and then I'm off to bed....

Whew Lily... Does look like tomorrow's the day. I have never seen a bfly eclose after noon, only moths. (They eclose at night.) BSTs usually eclose before 8:30 am. Gulf Fritillarys have been later, and so have GST, but all butterflies before noon. Good luck! :-) I will log on asap to see what's happening.
There you go James!! Voila... a beautiful Queen chrysalis! And happy looking cats. Very nice!

You're definatly not nuts debilu, I hear ya~

Chris, I looked until I was crosseyed, lol.. and closest, (not exact yet) so far is a Laudable Arches Moth, or some type of Arch moth... "i will cruse some more pics tomorrow and see if I happen upon it.

Night all!

debnes

all's quiet on the Indiana front and we have to leave in about 10 minutes.....
If it should eclose while we are at work/school, how long can she go without food?
Gosh, I'd sure hate for her to eclose while we are away.... of course, they do it every day in the wild, but that's besides the point. :

It's morning Lily....almost 7am here....where is the announcement?? Is it a boy...a girl...???

Oops, double posted with you. You can't miss it, you are too close now!!! As for the going without. They don't nectar for several hours in the wild. I have ones come out early before work and release after I get home. It is safer for them that way because they are still drying their wings early. So you can do it when you get home and enjoy the release.

This message was edited Sep 14, 2007 6:52 AM

It happens so fast and it is usually very early in the am. Cross my fingers hope you can stay home long enough.

see, now you're really making me thinking about making my daughter cut school and me cut work. ARGH!! What to do, what to do???
Here is a picture from this morning....

DARN!!! She eclosed and we missed it!! Ok, her wings are very crinkly, is there anything we can do, or will they be ok on their own???

give er a few minutes.. Was she hanging by her feet, or stuck on the bottom of the cage?

whew, doing better now. She/he (not sure yet) is hanging by her feet, so I do know that's a good thing. Will post pictures in a bit. :)

I may have a couple eclosures today too, GST is plumping out and darkening.


How's it going with you Lily?

That would be awesome if yours eclosed today too, Debnes!! You must take many pictures, too!!

We have a very happy, healthy, ready to fly baby girl. Sorry the picture is so blurry. Will get better shots later. :)

Thanks so much for your help through all of this everyone!! Would definitely gone crazy with wonder without out it. :)

Congratulations on your new delivery !!!!

Thank you, James!
Oh, and who did I just see flitting about my butterfly garden? A male BST waiting for the release of our new baby. Hope he stays out there until we release her! :)

Fabulous Lily!! :-)
She's real purdy!!! Yaay!

Mine?, maybe tomorrow..

debnes

Here's "Misty's" friend waiting for her (yes, Cori named the butterfly) ....

Thank you, Debnes!!! Now, just 11 more to go. Yikes!! Cori's going to run out of names!!

Today was a great day to play hookey, because the Monarchs are here!! And, a gorgeous male TST was in te garden too. We cannot release "Misty" until 3:30, when Cori's friends get home from school, because they've been watching this entire process. However, there have been tears on Cori's part, because she hates the thought that "Misty" will fly away and never come back.

Sorry, another blurry picture...

Well, we released "Misty" at 3:30. She was very anxious to get out of captivity, and instead of climbing on Cori's arm as she had hoped, or nectared in the butterfly garden, she simply flew over the house. We sat and waited for her to come back for about 15 - 20 minutes, but she hasn't yet. I'm sure we'll see her again, though. :)

Anyway, here's a picture of her before we released her...

MIsty is a real beauty. Congratulations. I know how Cori feels. It is kind of sad to know they have to go but after letting a couple go it is not so bad. It is worse when they do not even make it to the point where you can let them go. That is the only time I have cried so far, losing that chrysalid the way I did. And you and Cori do not feel bad about Misty hanging around. Out of the five I have let go three flew off immediately and did not even say goodbye, one flew around my head twice and then flew off and the last one flew around my head twice and flitted around the backyard for about two minutes before flying off. I have yet to have any land on my flowers or take any nectar. Not sure why except I guess they were ready to roll. And I was happy for them even though I thought they took off a little fast without saying bye, bye. Hope Cori was not too upset when Misty left. Since you have so many more to go I really think it will get easier. Just wanted to tell you how pretty Misty is and wonderful success story on your first go around. You have to be proud of that.

Leslie

HI y'all!
First, I have a site for Cory.:-S:
http://www.babynames.com So you have a better chance of not running out of names, lol!

Butterflies are free, and meant to fly as soon as they can. There will be an individual love for each that you release, but their life is only temporary, and they need to get busy with theirs as soon as their wings are dry, There is a collective love for wildlife that you will no doubt develop more, because that is definatly your direction. I hope you and Lily, (mom), never run out of butterflies to name. I always look forward to the next one, myself...:-).. Even when the next might be next spring.

A funny thing happened today.... On August 4, I had 2 GST chrysalids. One eclosed and one stayed indside. After a few weeks I put it in a common glad cage with some other 'duds'. I was saving them for my son to look at in biology class. Well, that was 'my' reason... Turns out the other one wasn't a dud at all. It was perfect! A month and 40 days later than the other one, even though they were both raise at the same time from the same mom. I took in about 8-10 eggs today from the hercules club.

So I guess we can safely say, if the chrysalids look right.... continue saving them from would be predators, and keep waiting. Unless the chrysalis turns black, or some other obvious sign of death is clearly visible, expect they might eclose. GSTs are particularly hard to tell, since their chrysalis is moddled and rough textured... so especially do this with them.

There were many different species flying through the yard today, my SIL came over and helped me pull some weeds and cut suckers from the tree that was cut down. It sure helped me out a lot, but some of the pics can wait 'til tomorrow. Yawwwwn!

Oh, and Chris, an Orange Sulphur was laying eggs on the cassia today..
:-S debnes

There was a male monarch and a male queen patrolling the milkweed all day today. I suppose they don't know of another milkweed patch for a long way to nectar at while waiting on the girls. Here is the cool queen, who was more interested in the Vitex, than fighting over the yard, lol.

This message was edited Sep 15, 2007 8:11 AM

Too funny, Debnes! I'll definitely put that website in Cori's favorites.

That's amazing that it took so long for that one GST chrysalis to eclose and that you hung onto it for your son's biology class. I guess deep down, you just really didn't have the heart to get rid of that one. :)

Thank you, Leslie. On my part, when we released "Misty," I watched her fly over my roof (and it's a pretty tall roof at that!) and was amazed with how quickly she was able to fly away. And, it was bittersweet -- being proud that the butterfly was beautiful and actually made it to that stage, and then a little twinge in seeing it go. So, I could only imagine what it would be like if one didn't make it out of the chrysalis stage after it tried so hard.

Cori has always been a nature lover. In fact she's gone from wanting to be a vet, to being a wildlife rescue person in Africa. What her little emotions were dealing with yesterday were maternal ones. She was so concerned about "Misty's" saftey in the big, big world. Worried about it ending up in a bird's stomach, not having enough protection from the wind, rain, etc., not being able to adapt to wildlife after having been held in captivity. So, she was definitely being a mom yesterday, watching her kid grow up and take off.

Today will be another great day to watch and take pictures of the flutterbyes and hummers, and also a good time to figure out where to put a chokecherry tree, cause I want some Eastern Tiger Swallowtails!!!

I hope everyone has a tremendous weekend, no matter what it is you're doing!!

Debnes, beautiful Queen pic!
I had 3 different swallowtail bf's visit my garden this summer, but only a few times. Would love to get them back. Planning for hosts for next year. They were Giant, Tiger, and Eastern Tiger(I think). Look forward to next year!

Okay, I know this has been asked again and again but can someone please tell me or give me a link as to how to tell the difference in male and female Monarchs. I want to be able to identify them if any stop over during migration. This would really be a big help to me and I apologize to those who have gone over this again and again.

And Indy, that is so sweet about Cori's maternal instincts. I totally understand that. She did baby the cat and the chrysalid for so long. I think it is very mature of her to be concerned about whether Misty "makes it" or not. There are of course a lot of factors out there trying to deny her success but hopefully that is what she will be, a success. You know other kids her age are out getting into trouble and not worried about a thing and she has taken this interest in the wellbeing of one of God's great creatures. I think that says a lot about her and I think she would make a wonderful wildlife rescue person. You probably would hate her living all the way in Africa but how exciting for her if that really came about. Let us know when it is time for the next one to be set free please.

Leslie

Oh! A question I can actually answer! I'm sure the picture is horrible, but see the two round spots I've circled? Those are scent glands that only the male Monarchs have.

I have learned something here. ;)

As for Cori, she thinks that I'll be living in an RV with her in Africa. Hate to break it to her, but I think I like it here. LOL!!

Thanks debilu!
We all have a lot to look forward too..:-)

lol sorry leslie, I had accidently typed your name as cori's mom, in that last post, rofl.. If that telles ya how beat I was from all the yardwork yesterday... whew!
It's cooler out this morning the thermostat reads 68*. As soon as I grab some coffee I'm outa here.

:-S debnes

Here is the Sleepy Orange that was ovipositing on the cassia

Yes Lily you got it! The Queens have the same tell tale scent glands on thier wings..

Leslie, I understand needing to ask... not a problem. We will just make like it was the first time ya asked, lol.

I think you can see on the right wing in this pic>
debnes

What a wonderful morning in my yard !!!.............. I was watching butterflies in the garden ........ and at one time at least 4 hummers squabbling over who's turn it was at the feeder !!!

I finally also have some new pics to post !! ......... yeah .........

In this pic I believe that she is laying eggs on my milkweed again !!!

could be wrong though !!!! ( cause I am still a rookie at this ) !!!!!!!

I think that this is a little skipper of some type ......... but not sure !!

Yay James!!
There were a lot more Monarchs here today too! Queens also, males and females of both. I collected a few eggs. Predators are here too, in full force.

Your little skipper is a Firey Skipper... Here is a site with a few good pictures of some of our texas skippers>
http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/butterflies/texasskippers2.htm

In this pic only 2 queens and a monarch... and left on the underside of a leaf something (stinkbug, I think), is ready to snatch the eggs.

debnes

This pair came in together.. The one that had been waiting at the milkweed tried, and then had to stand down and continue nectaring.

Hi y'all!

I've been lurking and enjoying your posts. A lot going on in my life right now, but I do find the time to visit my favorite website .... DG!!!! And I am enjoying all your stories and photos! Y'all are doing an awesome job raising and releasing so many butterflies! Trust me ..... many will come back to lay eggs and continue the life cycle.

Deb and James and others - I enjoy hearing about your hummers! What a thrill that must be!!! I continue waiting patiently for one or two to find me. I have lots and lots of nectar plants blooming. And I saw the first bloom on a bunch of coneflowers I planted this past Spring from seed! Whoo Hoo! About time those plants bloomed! LOL

I am starting to see more butterflies ...... the number of skippers have picked up ..... any wonder with all the canna plants I have in my yard! I think I am going to have to dig up and dispose of some of those canna ..... they are big and like to spread! So that is probably why the Skipper population has increased.

I saw a lone Monarch zipping around my garden beds today. I don't know if she was laying eggs (I didn't see any) or just cruising.

Ever since I planted the Cassia bushes I see Sulphurs almost every day now. No eggs though. Either I am missing them before the predators get them or the butterflies aren't breeding right now. :-/

And the biggest thrill today was 2 Giant Swallowtails flying around together. I am sure one was a male and the other a female. They are just beautiful!!! My dh and I were out in the backyard finally finishing the last mold row for the new patio and we both looked over and saw them. Naturally, we had to stop and watch them! They are the size of small birds! So lovely! I do see more of them, too. Glad I have that Hercules Club and the two Wild Lime bushes. They were nectaring on many of the blooms I have throughout the backyard. It's a happy place out there! :-)

Glad to read about Cori's involvement. Her and Ben will be the future generation to help restore the balance between nature and progress! I'm really proud of them, so Deb and Felicia can pat yourselves on the back for involving and teaching them!

Chris - Your 3 milkweed plants are AMAZING! I have never seen one that tall before. Mine usually get eaten down once they reach about 4 ft. tall.

Leslie - I hear ya about the birds in your yard coming to eat. My dh still gets a kick out of all the birds that come to my lone feeder in the middle of the backyard. I get about 20 doves, 5 cardinals (I think they are all related), 3-4 Bluejays, a few crows, and also the 2 squirrels and the one large fruit rat. I could sit out there all day and watch them!! They come early morning and then again in the early evening before the sun goes down.

I had to laugh .... my dh and I have spent the last 6 weekends making the new patio. We usually work on it in the late afternoon since there is sometimes shade and it is a tiny bit cooler. The one squirrel hangs out waiting for us to finish so she can come over to the feeder and chow down! We working right next to the feeder today and she kept sneaking over everytime we took a water break. My dh got a kick out of that! I think I've finally won him over with the yard. Before he thought it looked too much like a jungle. Too many plants for his taste. But he's slowly changing his mind and enjoying it almost as much as I do!

I love all the photos! You all are doing a great job capturing all the action in photos! Keep em coming!!!!

AWESOME PICS Debnes !! ......... I had a lot of things flying around today as well .... My wife went to a wedding this afternnon and took the camera : ( ........ while she was gone I had a pair of black butterflies with blue tail feathers sample almost every flower in that bed!! Missed them Dang It !! ......... Hopefully they will be back.

Thank You Becky ........... before this spring I had neither hummingbird feeders or a butterfly garden ...........MAN !!! ........I am beginning to wonder what I have gotten myself into !!!! .... It is awesome fun though .......... my wife is the one that is having to warm up to the hummers and the garden, but she is starting to enjoy them as much as I do now.

Debnes ,,,,,,,, great shot with the predator bugs in the pic......... I hope someday to be able to see a bug in my garden and know whether or not is a Friend or Foe !!

I do know that I saw a Ladybug on the milkweed this evening!!

ps ........Debnes ......... I wish my milkweed looked that good!!

First off Thanks Felicia for the male Monarch ID and you too Debnes. Maybe I will be able to identify. Great pics everyone as usual. And dang Debnes that is some milkweed going on there. You should be able to feed quite a few Monarchs.

Speaking of which ......drumroll....... I found Monarch cats and eggs on my milkweed today. Tah Dah!!! I know, probably not as exciting for yall as it is for me. I have been waiting for this, got the extra milkweed handy. I could not believe it as I check the stuff pretty much every day. Today I was out puttering around in the garden and saw a few holes on my milkweed (I have one plant in one garden and two more plants in another garden). Anyway so I looked underneath the leaves and found one cat. Then I found one egg. I had to run in and tell my sister. Of course she was not as excited as I was but she knew I was excited. I told her I was bringing them in for raising. She seemed surprised because I still have the GF's going on. I also got online and ordered a bigger container from Live Monarch as I don't think any of mine would be big enough for a Monarch to try to fly around in. So I went out to gather my cat and the egg. I found two more cats on that plant and two more eggs. I just thought I would check the other two plants. Okay so I ended up with six cats (so far) and three eggs. Brought them all in on their little leaves and put them in a small container (for now) with the usual set up. Not sure how old the cats are but they are tiny. I never even saw a Monarch around my milkweed. The only Monarch I have seen visited my buddlei (sp) and that was it. So she must have been working while I was at work. Anyway, so all three plants were hit. I looked again later today and I think I saw some more eggs. Am going to check more thoroughly tomorrow. But for now I am extremely excited. The migration has not even really begun here and I already have babies. Of course I know the ones migrating may not be in the egg laying mood. I hope I don't get inundated like some of you have but I am happy to get a few of them. Of course I will keep you guys posted. I am so excited. And now thanks to Felicia and Debnes I will be able to tell if they are male or female when they eclose. Yea! Thanks for listening everyone.

Leslie

Yeah...I really do think these Monarchs should call for reservations before they drop by to lay eggs. It would be nice, you know? They're here again here also. Every time I think that's it for now, they just sneak in...again. Yes, Leslie, I believe they prefer to come when nobody is outside watching. But I did catch sight of one leaving today. The Queens had been around a bit, but the Monarchs disappeared after the last front...until today.

Good Morning everyone !! .............looks like it is going to be another beautiful day here in Cenral Texas !!

Hope you all have a great gardening day!!


james t

Becky, sounds like you've got quite the project going with your patio! Would love to see pictures when you're done. And, thank you. After lurking here last fall, Cori and I definitely wanted to start trying to raise butterflies. Next spring, I want to expand my host plants. Good thing I have a big back yard!!

Leslie, congrats on your Monarch eggs and cats!!! Awesome!! I know you've got to be thrilled. It will be fun to hear all of your updates on everything.

James, I'm almost like you. I did have hummingbird feeders up last year, but no butterfly garden. This year, I have both a nectaring garden and host plants (need to get the host plants way more organized!!). Funny, I've waited all year for the butterflies to lay their eggs, and when they did, I felt like I was not prepared at all!! Next year, I'll be ready!!

Here's a picture of my nectaring garden. You can't see everything because the lantana and butterfly bushes are taking over, but it gives you an idea...

oh, and here's one of my hummers nectaring at the imaginary shrimp plant. I really should have at least tried to get the plant in this picture. LOL!!

and this guy is getting just a little too chubby to fly..... :)
Obviously I didn't get any work done yesterday since I was outside a lot playing with the camera. :)