Just spotted one flying around my place...no doubt, it's a Monarch!

Three seen so far...they are on the move!

Good, good. I wonder how long it will be before they reach my location? Can't wait. And I'm expecting hummers any day now. People just south of us are already seeing them.

The migration map shows them about to enter Tn Tee, so it shouldn't be long.

I wonder if the unusual warm weather this year will encourage to move north faster.

Karen

Thanks, Karen. I hadn't checked the map recently. I've been seeing lots of other bfs lately.

We are a Monarch Waystation and I have planted a lot of plants especially with the Monarchs in mind. Last year I saw the first Monarch caterpillars happily munching on the Ascelpias curassivica. Yay!

Or where you talking about the hummers?

Well, both really. Around here I generally start to see butterflies and hummers around the same time. Until then, not much is blooming for either of them. It's normally too cold and only some spring bulbs and early perennials are growing. Then the trees bloom, and spring flowers start to pop.

And I might add, it's generally much later that I see my first hummingbirds than when it shows on the migration map.
I can see where my post was confusing.

Karen

Doesn't take much to confuse me sometimes.

The hummers are usually later here than the maps show as well. This is way too early for us to see hummers but perhaps not with this unusual weather. I just don't know. It was 87º day before yesterday, 83º yesterday.

And I found my first tick crawling around last evening. Ugh

I'm watching for Monarchs. I hope it's any day now but I suppose it will take them at least a little while to get here. This year, though, all bets are off.

The Monarchs are coming in increasing numbers and they are stopping to lay eggs on the milkweed plants they find. So will think about buying more milkweed!

Linda, that is so exciting. I'm excited with you.

One of the future Monarch butterflies I have here...but first they have to make it through the caterpillar and chrysalis state.

Linda, do you take them in the house? or leave them in their natural environment? Just curious. I've never tried to keep them inside though I know many do.

Karen

Karen, I took them in...have raised caterpillars in containers for years. With the low population numbers of Monarchs these days, I'm happy to do this. It's quite nice when I get to release the butterflies later on!

Very nice.

Karen

My first Monarch to emerge from its chrysalis:

After it realized it was free, it first flew to a Smoke Tree...not quite ready to fly any farther at first. Good thing I don't have to teach them anything about flying! Goodbye and have a good life!

Great, Linda. You certainly did your part.

Pretty.

Karen

I have a friend about 5 min from me that has already had Monarchs emerge this year. I finally found eggs on mine when we returned from a trip this week. Glad to know I didn't miss out!