This is one of my beautiful babies. So far this year I have been fortunate enough to have released 40 monarchs. Currently there are 27 in chrysalis stage and I have 51 monarch caterpillars munching away on milkweed in protective custody (screened lanai). That is all I can handle in protective custody at this time.

One would think that since I have roughly 200 milkweed plants in the yard and 40 on the lanai there would be enough milkweed to go around. That is not the case. One plant will feed three to four caterpillars then that plant needs to recover. Yikes, each outdoor plant has ten to thirty eggs at the moment and some tiny caterpillars. I'm in trouble! I thought I was ready for butterfly season but clearly I am not.

I need to put some more plants in protective custody to be used a food source only. Nurseries don't normally have milkweed at this time of year. Wish me luck in my quest for milkweed this weekend.

On the bright side of this situation, the birds will be happy.

A Common Darter dragonfly soaks up the warmth from the fleeting sunhine before continuing his search for a female.

A Hoverfly on a Rose at Bayard Cutting Arboretum on Long Island in New York. I thought the backlighting worked well.

I wish you and yours health, wealth and happiness always, and thank you sincerely for your interest in our work! I know that my late wife Joni thanks you as well.

Butterfly season is getting off to a great start. There are lots of monarchs, zebra longwings, gulf fritillaries and goldrims flitting about daily.

The giants have started visiting along with spicebush, tiger and Palamedes and zebra swallowtails. The giant in this image left one egg for me to collect and care for in protective custody. I shall do my best to make sure it becomes a beautiful butterfly. Giants are pretty easy to raise in comparison to monarchs. They don't eat as much and they are not as messy.

Have a wonderful Monday and happy snapping.

Haehnle Bird Sanctuary - Grass Lake, Michigan

Zygaena filipendulae

Mid afternoon. The hottest part of the day. This Male Emperor dragonfly finally takes a break from patrolling and protecting his domain whilst on the hunt for females. I waited about an hour to get this shot as he was constantly on the move chasing away any other dragonflies that dared to invade his space.

Migrant Hawker

Herbst Mosaikjungfer

Monarchs certainly add a splash of color to the yard as they flit about. Yesterday there were eight in the yard most of the day. On occasion, another would wonder through.

I have started raising them again this year. There are several tiny cats that have hatched from eggs in protective custody and five huge ones that shall start the metamorphous process today or tomorrow. Each time I have gone out to collect food for them I have ended up bringing in more eggs. It looks like it's going to be a great season for the monarch.

Have a splendid day, happy snapping.

Dark bee flying in front of a white flower

Nemophora degeerella,

I have been trying to get a good shot of this beautiful butterfly for many years. I finally got lucky. Taken at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

Thanks for views, comments and favs :)

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