Category: Monarch Butterfly

A Monarch Butterfly Is Born

A Monarch Butterfly Is Born

| November 23, 2012 | 20 Replies

Today was the day! I checked on my cocoon early, as it was quite dark yesterday. I took this photo about an hour before she emerged. You can see where the dark ring top left became a row of holes, presumably for ventilation, as it does not function as an exit zipper. The butterfly rips […]

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Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

| November 14, 2012 | Reply

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How Do They Know? Mysteries of Caterpillars

How Do They Know? Mysteries of Caterpillars

| November 11, 2012 | 14 Replies

After yesterday’s post, I went out to clean the remaining egg off the driveway, or, I tried. I was using the “jet” setting on my hose sprayer and blasting one bad spot. I looked ahead about ten feet from me and saw something dangling to a 20″ plastic pot of a flowering bush. I figured […]

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Rain, Caterpillars and Puccini

Rain, Caterpillars and Puccini

| November 8, 2012 | 10 Replies

I had been alerted that rain was coming this weekend, and I knew I had to get a fresh layer of alfalfa down on my hard-baked clay, otherwise, every trip into the garden would result in mud-caked shoes. So, this morning, I spread it out. Rain was coming down gently on my back. I had […]

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Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

| November 7, 2012 | 4 Replies

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On Monarchs, Blueberries and Birthdays

On Monarchs, Blueberries and Birthdays

| October 23, 2012 | 7 Replies

Today, October 22nd, is the 22nd birthday of my son, Walker. He’s a senior at Stanford, and I’d hoped to be up there, but the life of a college athlete is very busy, and he didn’t think he would even have time to dine with me. So, I am not going to see him in […]

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My Monarch Photo on GardenStalking.com

My Monarch Photo on GardenStalking.com

| October 19, 2012 | 6 Replies

My Monarch photo appeared on GardenStalking today! (Click on the photo to go the blog post.) GardenStalking is a sister site to DessertStalking. Join GardenStalking and submit photos! Monarch Butterflies only lay eggs on milkweed, and the Western Monarch is particularly at risk due to a parasite called O.C., and with loss of habitat. Grow […]

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Monarch Caterpillar Action

Monarch Caterpillar Action

| October 11, 2012 | 6 Replies

Monarch caterpillars, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: You are gentle, and stunningly beautiful; You don’t mind sharing a milkweed branch with a sibling; You can hang upside down, while shedding your skin; (See those smaller feet it has just shed? This rather blows my mind.) You are big! Your color […]

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Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

| October 10, 2012 | 4 Replies

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Monarch Sighting!

Monarch Sighting!

| October 1, 2012 | 9 Replies

Monarch Sighting! I was out watering, and doing a minimal gardening job as record heat is expected today, when I spotted my first Monarch Butterfly! If you haven’t yet seen my Monarch episode of episode of “Late Bloomer,” please check it out! After my visit with Loree Bryer, citizen scientist for the Monarch, I planted […]

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