I ordered a tagging kit a couple weeks ago, but it hasn't arrived yet, so this pretty female monarch was released without a wing tag onto one of my backyard purple coneflowers.
Live long and prosper lovely monarch!Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Ain't She Purty??
I had a nice surprise waiting for me in the monarch ranch when I got home from work this morning.......my first monarch butterfly for 2009 had arrived!
I ordered a tagging kit a couple weeks ago, but it hasn't arrived yet, so this pretty female monarch was released without a wing tag onto one of my backyard purple coneflowers.
Live long and prosper lovely monarch!
I ordered a tagging kit a couple weeks ago, but it hasn't arrived yet, so this pretty female monarch was released without a wing tag onto one of my backyard purple coneflowers.
Live long and prosper lovely monarch!
This is so fascinating to me. . . you can tag a butterfly?
ReplyDeleteWow!! How very cool...and amazing!! You must be soooo happy! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun Ruthie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a compliment to the purple coneflower, a beautiful monarch butterfly to sit and dry the wings.
ReplyDeleteMOM
I know I'm ignorant . . . but how DO you tag a butterfly?
ReplyDelete(Veeerrry carefully.)
There are very very few Monarchs here in Ontario this summer...very concerning! I will write about it soon.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh!! she is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteour annual Monarch arrival is just beginning. it has been awesome to watch as they gently flutter about the gartens.
Awww... what a nice surprise! She's beautiful Ruthie. :c)
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Lee,
ReplyDeleteYou sure can! The tag is a small circular sticker (about the size of a corn pad) with specific numbers assigned to the individual doing the tagging. You can find more information at Monarchwatch.com. When I get my tags, I'll be sure to do a post showing exactly how it's done. Truly fascinating stuff.....
Hi Kelly,
I was amazed when this butterfly hatched. It's been almost 2 weeks since the chrysalis was made and I thought maybe there wasn't going to be a butterfly after so long.
You got that right Lisa! :-)
Hi Mom,
All the purple coneflowers are blooming now and it's beautiful in the backyard. I hope more butterflies start finding them soon.
No Mama Pea, you're not ignorant. Until 3 years ago I didn't know there was such a thing either. Watch for an upcoming post on tagging monarchs. It's pretty fun.
Hi Ruth,
We're experiencing the same thing here. Our Monarch Larval Monitoring Project has had some pretty disappointing numbers so far this summer.
Thanks Stephen. I always look forward to this time of year and seeing all the butterflies--especially monarchs.
Thanks Jayne!
What a delight. And she is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty! In eastern Kansas, we have had a terrible summer for butterflies due to the coolest and wettest summer on record in the past 80 years. Thanks for sharing yours!
ReplyDeleteYeah..what merrilee says..How do u tag a butterfly?
ReplyDeleteI have seen the sticker things on some..is that waht u use?
congrats.
Thanks Gaelyn -- she sure is!
ReplyDeleteHi Criquette,
Same weather pattern here this summer. While I don't mind the cool, it is rather alarming that I've seen so few butterflies of any kind this summer.
Very carefully Dawn! They're tagged with a little round white sticker on the lower wing. If my tags ever get here, I'll be sure to do a post of the process.