I had transplanted about 3 or 4 Common Milkweed plants a few years ago when there was going to be some major road work and they were going to be wiped out. They have been doing well and spread more each year. I was very pleased to see that a Monarch had found them and produced this caterpillar this year. Hope it survives and continues on it's journey.
I love seeing Ladybugs which are actually beetles and not really "bugs". They eat aphids which can be bad for plants so it is good to see them around taking care of things. I found this one on my Milkweed earlier this summer.
TGIF, it's Friday! It's also a double digit day! 😁 It's also time for bokeh because Friday's Are Bokehlicious! Today's image with lovely bokeh is one of a Clearwing Moth that I was able to capture recently. I had several visiting the Milkweed that I planted for Monarchs but all kinds of bees, moths and butterflies are enjoying it as well.
Happy 1st of March! Spring should be on the way soon! Today is also Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog. Today's flower is one that is very important. This is Common Milkweed, the one that Monarchs need. I was fortunate to get some to transplant well. I captured the flower while it was in a lovely ball state. The flower doesn't last long unfortunately and it has a fairly strong smell while blooming. It blooms June through August. This photo has some great bokeh too and bokeh is great any day!
! was so pleased again this year. The Monarchs once again found my milkweed plants. I captured this Monarch caterpillar on the plant. There was another smaller one that was actually eating, this one was moving between leaves. Common Milkweed is the young Monarch's primary food and so the prime place for them to lay their eggs.
This is an image I captured last year but never shared. This is a lovely Ladybug on the leaf of a Common Milkweed which has a bunch of little hairs all over it.
It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog! Today's flower is Common Milkweed. The Monarchs use it as a staple but, as you can see, bees enjoy it as well. I was pleased to be able to transplant and have grow a plant of it when they had done some roadwork near my house several years ago now. I find the blooms of it quite interesting with all the small flowers making up a ball.
I had a happy occurance this past week. I have had some Common Milkweed that I transplanted a few years ago when they were re-doing our road and got it to survive and thrive. This type of milkweed is the favorite of Monarch Butterflies and they will lay their eggs on them. Not sure that happened but I finally was able to see and capture a Monarch on my Milkweed! A step in the right direction.
I had transplanted some Common Milkweed a few years ago when they were doing the road construction in my area. Milkweed doesn't usually transplant well so I was pleased that I was able to keep it alive and that it comes back each year. I have yet to see a Monarch on it but this Black Swallowtail was sure enjoying it one day this summer. The other flowers were making the bokeh for this shot and it's Friday and Friday's Are Bokehlicious!
