I know, it's another picture of my monarch caterpillar. This little guy was chowing down about as fast as I took this picture. I was so excited because I found so many of them and the next thing I knew the bluebirds had also found them and decided they looked like tasty little morsels.When I checked on them this evening I only saw two. But the butterfly weed was all but gone so I guess they had to seek out other food options. Luckily, I found them on another butterfly weed in my Keepsake garden.
I have also found more black swallow tail caterpillars on my parsley plant again. That's a big surprise. Isn't it a little late for this?
8 comments:
I wonder if that's what happened to mine Susie. I didn't even think about the birds, :( They are such pretty little guys, great photos!
Susie, once again the blog roll didn't pick up your post until just now. I know of at least a couple others that it takes a day or more to show up. Wonder what is going on. I depend on it to catch all the new posts! Well, at least you finally showed up and I get to see the great caterpillars. Unfortunatly, many end up as bird food. I suppose that is just nature's way. Maybe for your area it isn't too late for them.
Racquel-Maybe the little birdies had a few meals off yours. Who knows? I read that Monarch caterpillars are supposed to have some sort of built in repellent that birds don't find attractive but I'm not sure.
Beckie-I know what you mean about the blog roll. I find that sometimes happens with mine. Glad you enjoyed the pics.
I'm almost positive that I read that the butterflies are poisonous to birds but maybe the caterpillars aren't. I could be wrong of course, I often am :)
This post just showed up this morning on mine too.
I have a lot of birds so that could also explain why I don't see as many butterfiles as I think I should. I have a lot of the pretty orange ones with black dots on thier wings right now. I can't think of the name. It is Gulf something. A brilliant orange.
The site I read explained that the butterfly weed has a poison that helps protect the caterpillars. That's why they are attracted to that flower. Do you think they just crawl off to find other things, or places to cocoon? I had lots as you know, and some of the big ones are there in the evening, but I can't find them the next morning. I don't want to think that anything got them! :)
nice to see that some have made it. hopefully they will survive to make beautiful butterflies. we are seeing lots of sulfers, right now. a light green small and skittish little thing.
flydragon-Actually, I think it's the caterpillars that are poisonous. I think the reason my new posts aren't showing up when they should is because I'm doing them a day or so ahead and then publishing them later.
Eve-I don't know the names of those pretty orange butterflies but there are many here as well.
Meadowview-The caterpillars could be looking for a place to nap down or possibly looking for food. I found some more of mine on some more milkweed I have planted.
Marmee-Hopefully, we'll have lots of babies flitting around but you never know.
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