monarchs are now in chrysalis mode
Just as I thought, the monarch caterpillars were already in their 5th instar when I discovered them last weekend on the milkweed plant....
monarch caterpillars in the backyard!
Two months ago I purchased a small narrow leaf milkweed plant from Annies Annuals https://www.anniesannuals.com/ Every year for the past...
Umber skipper's delight
What fun to observe the umber skipper flitting from flower to flower in the backyard. First I saw it sipping on nectar from the orange...
The umber skippers and Shasta daisies
Here's one of the friendly umber skippers that are always visiting the garden. They seem to really love the Shasta daisy nectar because...
Swallowtail caterpillars!
At last! I planted a brown fennel plant in a container a couple of years ago, hoping to attract swallowtail butterflies to lay eggs on it....
The naked buckwheat is blooming and attracting local pollinators
The naked buckwheat plant is now in bloom, and for the first time in several years, I observed a hairstreak butterfly in our garden. This...