Photo by MonarchButterflyGarden.net
Excellent information on Monarchs on their site: http://monarchbutterflygarden.net
Correction
It was brought to my attention that I
mistakenly identified the butterflies in this post.
The butterflies I've photographed here are Queens, not Monarchs.
In my rush and excitement I didn't properly examine the photos.
You can see in the photo below, with the butterfly wings open,
that the black veining of a Monarch is not present.
When the wings are closed, both the Queen
and the Monarch share this black veining characteristic.
Queens, closely related to Monarchs,
are often mistaken for Monarchs.
I apologize, I should have noticed because I wrote a
That said, the information about Monarchs is correct.
It's late in the migration season,
but Monarchs are here in Austin to refuel as they
make the long journey to their winter home in Mexico.
Thursday, after my monthly CAMEO meeting,
I noticed my friend's garden was all a flutter.
Dozens of Monarch butterflies
were fluttering from plant to plant to feast
on the nectar of tropical milkweed and other plants.
These beautiful creatures are
nothing short of little miracles and are the
only butterfly known to make a two way journey of migration.
The Monarch's 3,000 mile migration from Canada to
Mexico and back again has long puzzled scientists.
Dwindling populations in recent years have caused alarm.
The governments of the US, Canada, and Mexico have
joined in an effort to help save the Monarch butterfly.
Milkweed is the most important factor
in saving the Monarchs, as it is the only food
the Monarch caterpillar can eat, and
it is the chemicals in milkweed that protect the Monarch.
Austin, recognized as the most wildlife-friendly
city in America, has resolved to incorporate
more native milkweed into the city's landscape.
Former First Lady Laura Bush
founded Texan By Nature in 2011.
A community run conservation effort to preserve Texas'
environment, Texan By Nature has begun a state wide
initiative to help preserve the Monarch.
Click here to become a Monarch Wrangler and learn
how you can make a difference for the Monarch butterfly.
Joining
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