A very famous blue monster named Grover once said: " Where there is life there is hope!" I'm sure someone else said it first, but that is who came to my mind while I was writing this. Serious concern for the survival of the Monarchs has been in the news, but I'm so happy that there are still Monarchs who made it here to lay their eggs on the acres of milkweed plants we encourage to grow here.
I did not see this Monarch in the field of milkweed. This one chose to lay her eggs right inside the stone square of the garden. We have allowed milkweed to grow in the garden and I would encourage any gardener in the paths of the migrating Monarchs to do the same. One Monarch and 4 eggs doesn't seem like much, but I hope that this is being repeated over and over again in places out of my sight and camera range. I happen to know where this milkweed leaf is growing. In a few days the first instar should hatch. I will be watching! I hope that there are enough gardeners to make a difference and that we have not noticed too late. But there she is, real proof that we can all hope for the best and do what we can. For more information about Monarch butterflies, I recommend the book, An Extraordinary Life:The Story of a Monarch Butterfly by Laurence Pringle. It is a story to read to children, but it contains a great deal of helpful information as well. If we all do what we can to help we have great reason to hope!
1 comment:
Becky how exciting. I have not seen any monarchs or eggs this year but perhaps there is still time as everything is late in the garden.
Unfortunately surrounded by chemical lovers, perhaps the monarchs have passed me by and instead use the milkweed that is growing more along the roadway. Still I will hope.
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