When we first started helping Monarchs, we would attempt to feed them nectar before we released them. Learning later that they don't necessarily need to drink the first day. This one did, and you can see its proboscis is unfurled and taking sugar water from a qtip. #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
I heard it was #ButterflyWeek
Monarch laying an egg on milkweed. #nature #butterflies #photography #plantmilkweed #savethemonarchs #pollinators
A Monarch butterfly about to eclose. You can see that the exuvia has split and the butterfly is pushing its way out. #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
A peek into one of the pupation cages at our #MonarchRanch. Lots of caterpillars working their way to being butterflies. #PlantMilkweed
If a Monarch caterpillar chose to pupate in the middle of leaves like this, we would move it before it started making its chrysalis. Caterpillars don't see well and can rupture the soft chrysalis by walking on or taking a nibble. #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
We released a female Monarch and an (unknown sex) Mourning cloak that day. #MonarchRanch #NotAMonarch #PlantMilkweed
Timeline cleanse and blood pressure reducer. Female Monarch butterfly takes nectar before first flight. #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
No matter how much milkweed we had, the Monarch caterpillars sometimes preferred to share (and then fight over) the same leaf. #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
A male Monarch and the old elms that all the newly-hatched butterflies took refuge in for the first few hours after release. #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
A female Monarch butterfly laying eggs all over the milkweed that day at our little #MonarchRanch. #PlantMilkweed
On this date, four years ago, at our little #MonarchRanch. #PlantMilkweed
Timeline cleanse and blood pressure reducer. Volume up for garden ambiance.
Monarch caterpillar and its tiny feets hanging on to the milkweed but as it eats the milkweed flower bud #Chomp. #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
🌿🐛🦋 Earth Day Milkweed Seed Packets available from Save Our Monarchs 🌿🐛🦋🌻💚 #PlantMilkweed #MonarchButterflies #EarthDay 🌍💚🦋
Timeline cleanse.
Sometimes, I would just sit and watch the Monarch caterpillars eat. #Chomp! #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
No matter how much milkweed there was, the Monarch caterpillars would always prefer to dine with their relatives. #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
Somewhat hopeful news for the eastern population of Monarch butterflies.
www.vox.com/climate/4829... #PlantMilkweed
Teeny tiny, itty bitty Monarch caterpillar. Push pin for scale. #SoTiny #MonarchRanch #PlantMilkweed
