The current radar image shows a little bit of redevelopment, and the weatherman on the 6:00 news said we may continue to have rain throughout the night.
Here's our rain gauge at shortly before 1:00 PM
And here's our rain gauge tonight after supper at 7:00 PM.
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And here's an update on the monarch ranch.
Yesterday, another monarch butterfly emerged from her cocoon. I released her when I got home from work. I also found out when I got home that one of the caterpillars (that had attached itself to the roof on Thursday) was the victim of a parasitic insect. The dead caterpillar was still hanging there when I got home with a long string of something hanging out of its side. Ick, Ick, Ick! I read in the Birdchick blog (look at her June 18 post) that this sometimes happens--especially when you find the larger caterpillars outside. I have been fortunate up to now because most of my caterpillars have hatched from eggs, but I have found a few larger cats on the milkweed outside and brought them in as an experiment to see if this would happen (and it did).
So on to a more pleasant subject. Tomorrow I will again have another new monarch butterfly to release outside in my Monarch Waystation.
Here's a photo of the chrysalis taken at about 7:45 this morning. Isn't it neat how you can see the butterfly wings through the chrysalis?
Here's the chrysalis tonight at shortly after 7:00 PM. See how dark it's become? I think it's neat that you can also see the butterfly developing in the chrysalis next to this one.
I'm so happy that I'll be home tomorrow morning to see the butterfly emerging. Hopefully I can get some good pictures to share with you. BTW, I ordered my butterfly tagging kit from MonarchWatch.org and it should arrive by next weekend.
10 comments:
Make sure you look around inside the ranch for the pupae or worm or whatever it was and get it out of there. They're just so gross. It's a wonder any monarchs ever hatch in the wild.
Hi Sissy,
I think it was a fly--at least that's what was inside the ranch when I got home.
I won't know how much rain we have gotten until I get ready for bed [11 or later]. It was such a nice rain that I put out just about all my house plants just so they could soak it all up. Enjoyed the pix of the monarch ranch, it is so exciting to see this unfolding right in front of my eyes.
MOM
Glad you got rain--now send it on east. We have had at least a week with temps over 90 and it is predicted to continue for another week. And we are dry dry dry.
I am desperate for rain. We have had less than 1/2 inch in about two months. Despite my intensive watering, the drought is taking its toll on the the garden and landscape. Even some of the trees have started dropping their leaves!
I'm glad someone has gotten some rain though. Perhaps it isn't a curse after all.
(Can you tell I just finished reading Harry Potter?)
--Robin (Bumblebee)
Weather report from MOM, as of 6:30 this AM [Sun] we had 2.41 in. on Sat and another .19 ins. since midnite making a grand total of 2.60 in. of rain. Because it rained so steady it is all soaked in, "Thank you Lord for this rain".
MOM
I will have to go searching for some caterpillars again this year. I have only collected larger caterpillars nd have never seen one with a parasite. We have many monarchs this year which is good to see. Keep us updated on your ranch!
ruth
I can't wait to see your newly emerged butterfly for sure! As you can tell the mon@rch is a fave of mine! BTW: We also got some rain today but no way enough!
I'm so glad you finally got some much needed rain in your area. Now we need to focus our thoughts (and prayers) for places farther east who so desparately need the rain. Thanks for the updates on the rain and on the monarchs.
Hi Donna & Robin,
I hope you get some rain in the east. I didn't even watch to see which way this weather system was going. It will be nice not to have to water the garden now for a few days.
Hi Mom,
There was 2.10" in the rain gauge this morning, so nearly another inch after 7 PM.
Hi Ruth,
It's disappointing when there's a parasite in the caterpillar...that's why I'm going to continue to try and raise them from eggs or little tiny cats (if I can find them).
Hi Tom,
I kinda thought monarchs were your fave! I'm glad you got at least a little bit of rain.
Hi Mary C,
You're right about our thoughts and prayers for those still not getting rain. I always forget there's always someone (or someplace) worse off than I am.
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