Re: Monarchs

tarasgirl06

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This is not a companion animal post, but I had to record it anyway.

I just went outside to put some rubbish in the bin and get a few grapefruits and lemons from the trees and noticed a lot of bees visiting the citrus blossoms, which always buoys my mood. Then I saw a butterfly. Then another, and another -- and I stood there in the midst of the second monarch migration I have experienced. The first was in 2005 in the Mojave, and was one of the absolute thrills of my life up until then. I never thought I would see another. But now I have!

Besides loving butterflies all my life, the symbolism of metamorphosis has deep meaning for me. And the sight of these tiny, fragile beings making their way on their epic journey has lifted my spirits on what had been, shall we say, not one of the best days I've ever had.

I don't have the type of camera equipment to record it, but it will live in my mind and soul!

*CORRECTION: Actually, both times, the butterfly type is Painted Lady.*
 
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tarasgirl06

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Denver had a huge Painted Lady migration a couple of years ago. It really is a marvelous thing, you fortunate person you :)!
OM! I wasn't sure these, or the others, were monarchs, because I thought monarchs were larger and I wasn't sure about the coloration. So I just looked up Painted Lady and that's what they were, both times!
 
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tarasgirl06

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Kieka

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I am not too far from you and it is just a crazy amount. I feel a smidgen guilty driving right now because I hit so many. Only good news is they don't seem to be as active during my major commute so it's minimal. My Mom keeps moving all out butterfly friendly plants hoping to encourage some early mating and caterpillars in our yard.
 

neely

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I purposely try to plant perennials that will attract butterflies. :purplebutterfly: I see Monarchs in my yard every year but nowhere near the amount I saw when I was growing up.
 
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tarasgirl06

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I am not too far from you and it is just a crazy amount. I feel a smidgen guilty driving right now because I hit so many. Only good news is they don't seem to be as active during my major commute so it's minimal. My Mom keeps moving all out butterfly friendly plants hoping to encourage some early mating and caterpillars in our yard.
That happened in 2005, too. My ex said he was hitting them like crazy on the freeway. It's terrible, but it can't be helped unless, like me, you don't drive. Aren't they amazing!!!
 

doomsdave

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Yes, every time we get a nice rainy season out here in the Land O'La La, the Painted Ladies' food plants go wild, grow like crazy, after which the butterflies have an orgy followed by a population spike followed by a migration. I'd say roughly about every 5 years or so, though you don't notice it nearly as much in the city as you do on "Urban/Wilderness Interface."
 
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