Monarch Magic for Halloween

[sbannister]

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween and report that most of the 2-3 dozen large cats that I had outside in my garden are now crysalids and one (that I know of) has emerged. I love looking for them in the yard; they are very creative about where they will decide to do their Monarch Magic. It is still warm enough for them here - it has been really beautiful with higs in the 70's, lows in the mid fifties. So I am blessed and just wanted to share some good news.

Susan

[Mona Miller]

I have about 16 Monarchs ready to be tagged and plan to get them a ride to Virginia Beach. I gave 3 caterpillars to a girl scout and hers are also ready. My friend is planning a trip on Sunday or Monday. In 2006, Journey North reported Monarchs that wintered on in Virginia Beach:

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarc ... r2006.html
Winter 2006 Monarchs tagged on 9/26/05 showed up in January, February 16,
and March 2 (Virginia Beach, Virginia).

Soon it will be the "Day of the Dead" in Mexico. The Monarchs are coming into the sanctuary about this time.

[sbannister]

Mona,
Your dedication to your butterflies is awesome.

I was thinking that orange and black - the Monarch adult colors - are also Halloween colors. I wonder if their arrival in Mexico around the time of the Day of the Dead, as you have pointed out, is somehow related. I know that butterflies are often symbolically associated with the spirit that is free (of the body - which is associated with the larval, or earthbound stage). Not very scientific - but tonight is a night of that it's okay to let the imagination go!

One day I was in my front yard garden and a Monarch flew by while I was chatting with a neighbor passerby. She said "That's a good sign - a happy spirit." I had to agree.

[Mona Miller]

http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com:80/ ... 8377779200
Butterflies lift spirits at end of life

These are not Monarchs, but this was a beautiful story of how butterflies uplift people.

[Bunny Jo]

Thanks so much, Mona, for that article. I know how my spirits are constantly being lifted by these magnificent creatures and the lessons they teach us. I never cease to be awed by their determination, fortitude and beauty.

[sbannister]

Yes, Mona thanks for that beautiful story.

[Pixie]

Mona - I also enjoyed your article........
Susan & Mona - I am so very jealous that you still have monachs and chrysalids. The monarchs have been gone from my area for several weeks now & I really do miss them.
Dottie (Pixie)

[Mona Miller]

Joy, but also worry. I am trying to set up a trip for them to the beach. I have 10 females and 5 males from the group that I kept to raise. If I can't get them to VA Beach, I am going to try to get them at least as far as Charlottesville, Virginia. The temperature there is a bit milder than it is here.

[Bunny Jo]

Good luck with the transport, Mona. Your dedication is an inspiration. Our temps. here in Daytona Beach have been mild enough that the 5 cats. and the 6 chrysalises I have left in our garden are doing ok. We had 2 nights of "nippy" 40+ weather but are back to our usual 70's in the day and 50's-60's at night. We used to live in northern VA. so I know how cold it can get!

[Pixie]

Mona - I,too, am inspired about your dedication for the monarchs. I have learned so much from your posts. I am already planning my garden for next spring - what to keep,what to get rid of, what to plant.............I, and my grand-daughter, love the black swallowtail cats so I will continue to plant parsley & fennel. I am plannng to plant more swamp milkweed & curissavica as these are what I find lures the monarchs to my gardens............I have had several inquiries from neighbors since I put up my Monarch Watch Waystation sign in my yard...........I just hope I have been able to do my bit to insure the preservation of our beautiful monarchs...........

[Mona Miller]

I ended up having to ship the Monarchs via express mail to Virginia Beach. I am happy to report that they arrived safely and were last seen nectaring on a large Camilia tree.