A monarch butterfly.
Just passing through.
According to www.monarchwatch.org, Monarchs are the only butterfly to migrate two ways each year. They make the round trip once, and their descendants make the same return trip the next year. They travel up to 3,000 miles! And, although they stop to nectar, scientists are baffled because, instead of losing weight along the trip, which would be expected, they actually gain weight!
If you want to see a map of their migration patterns, click HERE.
I'm so glad this one decided to stop in my garden! Fatten up, little one!
Piękny motyl, który pewno zobaczył kwiaty i zatrzymał się posilić przed dalszym lotem. Pozdrawiam
ReplyDeleteVery pretty photos. I didn't get as many Butterflies this year.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I was just watching a David Attenborough program about their migration the other day! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great visitor. I love seeing the monarchs. PBS/Nova has a super program on the monarch migration. It is so fascinating. That is penstemon it is on? Very pretty anyhow.
ReplyDeleteHolley - so glad the monarch found your garden. I heard on npr that with the drought in Texas there are few flowers for the monarchs to visit as they head south on their migration. When I heard that I thought, "Holley's garden will be available for a refueling stop." I hope you get to see more of them but it will not be a good year for monarchs.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing that something as fragile-looking as a butterfly can travel so far? If someone told me I had to walk 3000 miles I'd be terrified. (Their weight gain must be due to increased muscle mass---that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it, lol)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos and now you've given me more of an appreciation for these incredible insects.
I love when butterflies visit. I think that was one of the first surprises when I started gardening -- I never considered the growth and variety of wildlife that would visit. It's the butterflies, though, that always bring a flush of excitement!
ReplyDeleteI like your suggestion to the Monarch. Hope he makes a safe journey. I think they have all left here because all I am finding is the Viceroy which winters over with their youngsters.
ReplyDeleteHolley, how nice to have a Monarch butterfly stopping by in your garden! It is really amazing to me what great distances they travel. I have never seen a Monarch in Southern California. I have to check if they don't exist in this area.
ReplyDeleteChristina
Giga - That's what I think, too. Just flying by and saw some flowers blooming!
ReplyDeleteCher - I think between the drought in some areas, and the floods in others, the butterfly population is down.
Mark and Gaz - It is truly amazing, isn't it?
tina - I'll have to be on the lookout for that program. It's feasting on a salvia in my garden. It seemed to really be enjoying it.
Marcia - I've seen a few, but haven't had my camera. I hope to see more. It would be nice if this could become a regular stop!
Karen - It really is amazing. My theory is that they're teenagers when they start out on their journey. Still growing - and you know how teenagers eat!
nittygrittydirtman - I agree. My heart always seems to skip a beat when they flutter by.
GWGT - I haven't seen them all summer, so I'm pretty sure this one is on its migrating travel. I don't know how long he'll stay, but maybe I have enough blooms to fill him up for a while.
Christina - There are actually two migrations patterns. One to Mexico, where this one is likely going, and the other to California. I hope you start seeing them. Maybe they will eventually winter over in your garden. Wouldn't that be exciting?!
Pretty! Over the weekend I saw a Monarch here too (SW Michigan) and was pretty surprised. I also figured it was in migration... heading south for the winter, like I wish I was! LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat! For a few weeks, I was seeing one every day in the afternoon. I suppose they are all gone now. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteMaybe these came from my Nebraska yard. Aren't they beauties?
ReplyDeletecharlie b - I guess we need to get ready for winter's arrival, too. :(
ReplyDeleteSage Butterfly - How exciting to see one every day. They were probably fattening up before they left!
Sue - Maybe they did come from your yard! Wouldn't that be fun if we really knew?
So exciting and fun to see a monarch! I was amazed when I started reading about them. I guess they have to eat a lot to prepare for hibernation, too. Three thousand miles is a long way for a little butterfly - amazing!
ReplyDeleteI've thought of getting involved with tagging, but don't like the idea of catching them. I want them to trust me being out there watching them and taking photos. If I did tag them, though, then I may be able to find out where they have traveled to.
ReplyDeleteIndie - I agree - 3,000 miles sounds like a very, very far way away - even flying in an airplane, much less flapping to get there!
ReplyDeleteSue - I don't know much about tagging, and I have wondered about how someone would get the tag information without harming the butterfly. But it would be very interesting to be able to track them.
I love butterflies! Sweet post!
ReplyDeleteWe are seeing a few passing through here too.
ReplyDeleteMy Garden Diaries - I love them, too. Such sweet and delicate creatures.
ReplyDeletehundresofideas - Isn't it exciting? I'm actually glad they migrate through most of the US. Otherwise, we might not get to see these magnificent butterflies!
Holley I think he may have hatched in my garden this year and he was sent S with love...I actually had a couple here on Sunday and hope they left because we are getting a freeze and snow. I send my warm wishes to this fine fellow as well. I hope to see him return!!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are lovely! One of the things that give me great joybis the butterflies - a lovely side effect of gardening :)
ReplyDeleteDonna - I'm sure your late couple left. I'll be looking for them! I do hope he returns, and all his descendants return, to my garden.
ReplyDeleteGardeningBlog - I agree. I love finding all the insects that appreciate our little area of paradise.