Sometimes I need to check my “Indigenous credentials”. My ancestors relied on the power of detailed observation, and the passing on of that knowledge, for survival. Maybe, in a different time, I would have been a reliable member of a clan. Today, I am evidently a “head in the clouds” version of a Native. For days, I have been accessing water at the tank, filling up watering cans, walking to the raised bed to water and walking back to the tank for another can, not once, not twice but at least 4 times per day. How did I not see the remarkable ornaments right in front of me? My tank has become a Christmas tree of pupae, jade gold dangling from each ledge.
Moreover, how has it been, that as close as I looked, every day, I did not see a caterpillar? I did not see any eaten branches of milkweed. Yet, just today (9/10/2023), like 3-D glasses in a 1950s movie, all of the sudden I see everything. I have found 7 monarch caterpillars – boom – right in front of me — and they are everywhere. In every place there is milkweed, there is at least 3 caterpillars. I have had to update my sighting post at WesternMonarchMilkweedMapper.org four times. It is a joy…well I am overjoyed actually…to be sure, but I really question the quality of my attention span, the commitment of my search, given the recent appearance of my super-vision for seeing pupae and caterpillars.
What will they eat when they emerge? We do have some good nectar for these babies. Hopefully, we will have even more. The grasshoppers really cleaned us out. Although many plants are reemerging, they will likely not make any blooms by the time the babies all mature. I will keep monitoring.
I generally do not interfere in the destiny of the caterpillars. However, we had a swarm of dragonflies on Saturday. I felt I needed to place protective mesh around the plants with caterpillars; they were very exposed. I used an inverted tomato cage and placed a 15-gallon gopher shield over it. I left the bottom unattached to enable the caterpillars to move to another plant if needed. To be truthful, I don’t know if this helps or not. Maybe it is only making me feel better. I have read or heard others tell about how some people cover plants with mesh – not quite as I did – but a similar concept. So far, all caterpillars are present and accounted for and look like they are doing well.
According to Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, there have been quite a bit of sightings as the monarchs are migrating back to their overwintering sites. I am also hearing from many friends and individuals on social media that they are seeing both adults and caterpillars. Of course, what is on the map is not a comprehensive overview of all sightings. Friend Sean alerted me that iNaturalist also captures data and eventually shares it with the map site. Some people also make their sightings private. Nonetheless, it is a good look at where the butterflies are along their journey. Below is a screenshot of the map from the morning of 9/10/2023.
Wanderings
There was quite a light show on Saturday and rain earlier in the day. The temps are still warm, and the moist clouds only make it more humid. The garden is growing in these 90+F temperatures – tomatoes, marigolds, pumpkins and basil. I would like the basil to bloom before the sun is not sufficient for them. We are also getting some volunteer peas – a leftover from the overwintering seeds I planted to put more nitrogen into the soil. While watering, I noticed the spout was plugged. Out jumped a small amphibian. It is a delight to live in this place. I am so grateful for the ability to do this work with such good people, and be here, in this wild place.
PolliNative 