Beachgirl's Blog

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Around My Yard ~ Monarch Haven

This fall was great for Monarch caterpillars in my yard with over 25 caterpillars seen on one of the days. All caterpillars were laid on swamp milkweed but in the end I had to switch 6-8 caterpillars to butterfly milkweed because the swamp milkweed was all eaten. I will buy more of it for next year even though I had planted 3 plants this year. Maybe, I'll give away the butterfly milkweed. I have seen at least 11 Monarch's eclose with 2 others damaged. There are 2 left that I can see that still need to be ready for the next step. Good luck as they all fly south.

Monarch caterpillars munching away

Chrysalis everywhere

Black Swallowtail chrysalis on rt & Monarch chrysalis on left

Monarch chrysalis just eclosed and something has bitten
of a fair amount of both upper and lower wings.

Monarch ready to emerge from the chrysalis

This Skipper-spotted skipper just didn't want to leave the Monarch alone.
The Monarch had just eclosed and was pumping up his wings.

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Around My Yard ~ American Redstart

While waiting (im)patiently for a few more southern stray butterflies to visit, this young male American Redstart came to visit the past few days. Yard Bird #30

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Cape May Point Monarch Roost

Small roost of Monarchs was forming at St Pete's beach crossover at 4:30. There was another small one about double the size at Lincoln Ave. Not near as many Monarchs going by today here.

Around My Yard ~ Sachem Skipper's

Clouds of Sachem and other skippers in my yard this AM after those 2 days of rain, rain and more rain. Low estimate is about 75. Can you find the the 8 skippers in the image?

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Honeycroft Village ~ Around my Yard ~ Red-spotted Purple

Several years ago I was lucky enough to have documented the life cycle of the Red-spotted Purple at my home in NJ. One of the things I brought with me to PA was 4 potted native cherry trees that are between 2 and 3 ft. They started out as little seedlings from the tree in my yard there. A few days ago I found several eggs on 2 of the trees and within 24 hrs one of the eggs had hatched. Since, then, 2 eggs hatched yesterday so there are 3 caterpillars. It is amazing how small the eggs are as they are not even as big as a had of a pin. They are about as thin as a hair and 1/16th of an inch long.