I think I'm learning this new camera, but today really tested me because I was taking shots of tiny little Monarchs and eggs! Yes, it's Monarch Madness here at Melanie's house! I suppose I should have guessed it would come to this with that female flying around. Mom actually found the two largest caterpillars this morning. I placed one on the Giant Milkweed so it would have plenty to eat. I think he's opting to sunbathe instead.
Couldn't move this guy because he's molting. I'll keep an eye out for him, though. The plant he's on doesn't have enough leaves for him to make it to adulthood.
Mom can't find the little guys, but that's what I'm here for. There are a bunch of them this size all around the yard.
What's super strange is that the Monarch laid eggs on the Giant Milkweed! They hardly ever do this. They'll eat it if I put them there, but rarely have I seen them lay eggs on it. Sort of like how Zebra Longwings only lay on certain passion vines but if you move them, they'll eat most varieties. If you recall, I said earlier I was going to pull up my tropical milkweed and replace it with natives, but keep the Giant Milkweed (even though it's not native) since they don't tend to lay on it and it makes for a good emergency supply of food. I wonder if I got a weird Monarch or if she was that desperate to lay eggs? Here you can see two eggs on the leaf in this picture.
