Monarch Butterflies 2018 : Part 6

They've been moved outside now as they mature.
Nice to get of kitchen bench back too

Can you spot the three?

Three more ready for take off

This one has slightly distorted wings

It has since taken off but took some time to do so
and has not gone far. Hopefully it will make it

Monarch Butterflies 2018 : Part 5

With so many predators, where we live the only way to have any survive is bring the eggs inside. This rearing process is a commitment, especially with about 90 of them at various stages. If you are the sort to lose interest or get distracted with other things in life, better not to start.

They need food fresh. They are voracious eaters which means they defecate like there's no tomorrow. That means cleaning up regularly or some sort of catchment system. That too will need emptying from time to time.

If that's all good, then if you need to help them survive, then go for it. It is so rewarding to see the monarch butterfly take off into the wide world. They will come back again and again to your garden in the future. We know as others say they never see any despite having milkweed whereas we see see them so often around breeding time.

The two in the middle are having a good chew on the stalk.
They also eat the flowers but mainly the leaves

Another shot of the diners.
Guess what the two lumps behind the top one are?
(the end with the shorter feelers)

Monarch Butterflies 2018 : Part 4

The first two butterflies have arrived. Many more will follow soon but the first ones are always special. Two girls near where I live have named them bumble and stripes.

Monarch Butterflies 2018 : Part 3

The monarch butterfly menagerie is going well, with a dozen now in the chrysalis stage and a few dozen more as caterpillars. One of the caterpillars wandered off from the plants and attached itself to a nearby towel.

The Pessimist

The pessimist sees the bad in everything and while it's understandable at times, if such feelings persist, then the attitude in itself becomes a problem. So how does such a person think?




Things are going well right now? Yeah, well this is just the calm before the next big storm.

Have you ever been at a party with a drink in your hand and no one to talk to? Well, it happens to me all the time.

If we look after our health, we can then look forward to being old, longer.

Some people hate Monday, but I don't know why it's worse than any other day.

They say money talks. I know mine does. It says "Goodbye".

We need the good times to remind us how terrible the bad times really are.

I hate spring because it reminds me of the hot summer to follow. I can't stand autumn either because I know winter will soon be here.

My glass would only be half full because I would have spilled the other half down the front of my new shirt. I can see it now.

Why am I the one to sit on the park bench and on a piece of freshly chewed gum?

I have got to have a 'plan b' because 'plan a' will never work. Mind you, 'plan b' probably won't work either.

Why I Don't Live In Norway

When my parents had decided to emigrate from the UK, one option was Canada because dad had a brother who had already gone there with his wife. My mother said if she was going anywhere, it had to be a to a warmer climate than Britain. No flies on mum.....until we got to Australia.

Anyway, I have a friend who lives in Norway. She sent these pictures to show me what it is like in winter time. I don't like hot weather but then I'll take that over freezing any day.

A Dry Cleaning Business Gone

When a dry cleaning business suffers a fire, there are so many people affected. It will have clothing, drapes, bedding and even wedding dresses perhaps that are affected. So many issues to iron out for a multitude of persons. Ironically the shop next door was named 'Blackmore'. It certainly lived up to its name. The dry cleaning business owner will just put it behind them, press on and rebuild.

Monarch Butterflies 2018 : Part 2

The second stage of the process is the chrysalis stage. It starts by the little critter attaching to a stork or leaf and curling up. In a couple of days it then splits out of its skin and a chrysalis case is already around it. It is initially slightly elongated but soon compacts to the shape it will remain.

Below there are some already in the chrysalis stage and others waiting to go. By clicking on the word
"Butterflies' to your right, there are other years you can follow, with photos and even videos.