Several years ago I found a few milkweed plants growing on the edge of the garden. I decided to let them grow as an attraction for Monarchs. I've gradually gotten to the point where I plant the garden around the growing milkweed patch. This year there were an unusually large number of Monarch Butterflies around. A week ago I started to find large numbers of caterpillars on my milkweed plants. At one point there were over 15 at one time. I've been out photographing the bountiful crop.
Phil..
Thanks for the nice shot. Last year we had a few on the dill plants, but this year nothing. Now, I'll keep a closer watch on the milkweed we have growing. We have very few Monarchs this year, but maybe they will produce somehting.
Years ago I had quite a few on my fennal plant. I remember showing my kids the beautiful caterpillars. I failed to noticed that our Boston Terriers were watching, too. Would you believe they ate them? Lesson learned. I hardly see them anymore.
Posted by Ken Bachofer on August 31, 2011 at 8:48 AM
Good capture. Since you're looking for these critters anyway you should consider being a citizen scientist and send your count data to the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project out of the U of MN. It's very easy. http://www.mlmp.org
Other kinds of native milkweed that are prettier for gardens and attract Monarchs are Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Both have beautiful flowers and are photogenic with all the flying things they attract, especially Clearwings.
Ken
MN Master Naturalist Volunteer
Posted by Jeff Hackett on September 1, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Amazing colors!
Posted by Philip Schwarz on September 2, 2011 at 12:02 AM
Ken
Thanks for the info. Looks like something I would be interested in doing.
Posted by Jack Graham on September 4, 2011 at 4:14 PM
Phil---what are you using for macro these days----great shot!
JG
Discussion
8 repliesComments Welcome
Thanks for the nice shot. Last year we had a few on the dill plants, but this year nothing. Now, I'll keep a closer watch on the milkweed we have growing. We have very few Monarchs this year, but maybe they will produce somehting.
Thanks again,
Don
Other kinds of native milkweed that are prettier for gardens and attract Monarchs are Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Both have beautiful flowers and are photogenic with all the flying things they attract, especially Clearwings.
Ken
MN Master Naturalist Volunteer
Thanks for the info. Looks like something I would be interested in doing.
JG
I'm using a Sigma 150mm on a Nikon 300s.