What’s going on with monarchs in my yard right now? Summer is speeding by at its usual quick pace. Far behind my monarch raising efforts of last year, I am truly enjoying this slower place and the special moments to be savored in the care and process this special species. This is still a special…
Monarchs are mid-season for breeding here in the mid-west. As usual, I have been checking the milkweed patches in my yard for signs of visitors. So far, it has been slow! Today, I released my first monarch of the season. It’s late. The butterfly was a female and she is still sitting on some phlox…
Today, I feel compelled to write about monarch conservation. We are in the height of monarch breeding season here in the midwest, and I am seeing post after post on social media about these amazing creatures. In fact, earlier this week, I found four monarch eggs on the common milkweed patch at my house. No…
Driving to work, I have the immense pleasure of passing by an expanse of the Mississippi River. My first poem was inspired by these trips in the last few weeks. Most people know of my affinity for the Monarch Butterfly that spans almost two decades. But, when I first came to Wisconsin, I learned of…
My second garden club group is coming to an end. I have mixed feelings about letting it go. Last week, I turned in my resignation to the principal at a local elementary school where I have served as a co-curricular advisor for their garden club. I started in the fall of 2017 and will end…
It is a little early to start thinking about the arrival of my favorite butterfly, but I read that the Monarchs have started to leave their overwintering site in Central Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains. If you have a chance and want to listen to a scientist who has devoted her whole life to this incredible…
An Ode to Milkweed Milkweed growing oh so strong, welcoming Monarchs with your fragrant song! Leaves so tasty, green and bright, filling caterpillars with certain delight! Life will grow on leaf and stem, then flutter off to begin again. Milkweed, milkweed growing strong, thank you for bringing Monarchs along! Haiku Niagara Falls Spewing,…
Yesterday, my husband found a Monarch butterfly flailing around on the rain soaked cement of our driveway. It was a cool, wet morning with a temperature in the mid-50’s. After several failed attempts by him to capture the monarch, I was able to gently snatch it up and bring it inside to the container in…
