Nature photography from a woman in the woods

Calling all Monarchs . . .

milkweed1

Calling all Monarch Butterflies .. where are you?  The milkweed party is winding down and you are not here.  There is an abundance of fragrant milkweed plants on the banquet table this year.  The other invited guests are having a great time.  The smaller butterflies are congregated and “fluttering” around the flowers and the bees are “buzzed” on the nectar.  Monarchs, you are the only no-show to this annual party … where are you?

Does anyone know what is going on with Monarch butterflies this year?

“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly, “one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”

~Hans Christian Anderson

This entry was posted on August 1, 2013 by . It was filed under Minnesota, nature, Photography and was tagged with , , , , , .

7 responses

  1. Jane

    Love the pics, but the quote? Adore!

    August 2, 2013 at 8:44 am

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  2. Candace

    My husband and I were just discussing monarchs yesterday. We live in Phoenix and I have seen monarchs now and then but never have photographed one although I’ve photographed many other varieties in our yard. We haven’t seen any around here this year either. I don’t know of any milkweed around here but they must have something else they dine on here.

    August 4, 2013 at 4:27 pm

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    • bearyweather

      I usually see monarchs all summer long … not one this year, yet. From what I understand, the monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed plants in the north (where I am) , then the caterpillars feed on the milkweed and throughout the summer months they actually produce 4 generations of butterflies, the last generation migrates south in the Fall. (eating the milkweed plant actually makes the butterflies/caterpillars poisonous to predators)

      August 6, 2013 at 10:02 am

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  3. Robin

    I’ve only seen one monarch this year, but I don’t know what to expect here so that could be normal or abnormal. I recently read a book by Barbara Kingsolver in which the monarchs were main characters (“Flight Behavior”). Your post reminded me of that.

    August 26, 2013 at 10:01 am

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    • bearyweather

      Summer is coming to an end … and not one monarch butterfly … not normal at all for here. Wonder what happened to them all?

      August 30, 2013 at 8:12 pm

      Reply
  4. wildlifewatcher

    Hi Bearyweather, I think many have taken a Florida vacation. Seriously, I have seen a bunch here in the common area behind my little condo home. The neighbors have a bunch of different flowers which attract the butterflies. My own house has a lone, and much too shaded, rose bush in back. Have a great weekend!

    August 30, 2013 at 8:23 pm

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