Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar

My milkweed is almost defoliated because the leaves are being devoured by these amazing yellow, black and white striped caterpillars. I took this photo last evening when I was closing up shop downstairs. They "head-butt" when competing for food. Click here for the really interesting article with a video if you want to watch them fight. Plant more milkweed! That is all Monarch caterpillars eat. Really.

Explained here.

Busy as A Bee

There are no words for the tiredness of my bones. I don't think I even combed my hair because I hit the ground running this morning and never stopped. I worked in my basement and in the garage and moved mountains. I am not finished but I made a major dent. The bee above is feasting on one of my milkweed flowers. I haven't seen many butterflies this year. Wonder why? See you tomorrow. xo

Random Photos Around My Cottage

Red Poppy 

This poppy is one of the last due to the heatwave we've been having. The seed pods are still working hard though to produce seeds for next year.

I beat the birds one morning this week in order to have freshly picked raspberries on my morning yogurt.

Here is a portrait view of one of my wild raspberry bushes.

The bees and other pollinators are really enjoying my pink swamp milkweed flowers. Later the monarch butterflies will lay their eggs on the leaves as food for the caterpillars.

I have been busy indoors during this current heatwave but just had to open all the windows and enjoy listening to the birds this morning. I can only stand to be sealed up with the air condition turned on for so long. We had rain overnight and it was pleasantly cool when I got up early. I know I will have to close everything up later as it is supposed to be 91° later. Stay cool and be save. xo

Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar

This looks a lot like something from Alice in Wonderland, doesn't it? I photographed this Monarch butterfly caterpillar munching on one of my milkweed plants and I honestly did not know they had a head on both ends. No wonder they can defoliate a plant almost overnight. But the milkweed always bounces back and produces more leaves for these beautiful caterpillars. Shot with my iPhone.

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