[cquick]

Today I went to the Butterfly gardening lecture at Lake Miona Rec. Center where I helped tag Monarch butterflies and then to the release at Lake Sumter Landing.

It was wonderful!

[jojo]

Originally Posted by cquick

Today I went to the Butterfly gardening lecture at Lake Miona Rec. Center where I helped tag Monarch butterflies and then to the release at Lake Sumter Landing.

It was wonderful!

Wish I would have been there. Was there a notice in the Sun?

[samhass]

Connie, I have been raising Monarchs for years. A number of other people in my neighborhood do also. I have a few asclepias plants I can spare if you are interested in butterfly habitat. Asclepias is the host plant for the Monarch. They lay eggs on it and the plant is eaten by the caterpillars.
I love seeing butterflies take flight for the first time. It would be so amazing if we could make TV one huge butterfly habitat. There are dozens in my yard at any given time..and not just Monarchs.

Plants should also be making seed soon, so I will have lots of seeds available later in the fall.

[JoeC1947]

They should call them flutter by's because that's what they do.

[hotrodgirl]

Originally Posted by samhass

Connie, I have been raising Monarchs for years. A number of other people in my neighborhood do also. I have a few asclepias plants I can spare if you are interested in butterfly habitat. Asclepias is the host plant for the Monarch. They lay eggs on it and the plant is eaten by the caterpillars.
I love seeing butterflies take flight for the first time. It would be so amazing if we could make TV one huge butterfly habitat. There are dozens in my yard at any given time..and not just Monarchs.

Plants should also be making seed soon, so I will have lots of seeds available later in the fall.

I will be a new resident in December and if I recall, there used to be an area with buffalo? Perhaps the developer would be interested in taking a portion of that preserve and making it a butterfly garden? I know they do a lot of plantings and that would be such a lovely addition-especially for visiting grandchildren! With some trails, asclepias, coneflower, gardenia, snow on the mountain. Oh... How lovely!!! It would be a lovely place to take a walk and meditate. Like a small botanical garden! Just a thought....

[teachnmo]

These are two of the pics taken by Bruce Kavin in Hemingway from the Butterfly Release. He was fortunate to be up close to take the pics.

[Mimivillager]

Originally Posted by teachnmo

Attachment 5251

Attachment 5252

These are two of the pics taken by Bruce Kavin in Hemingway from the Butterfly Release. He was fortunate to be up close to take the pics.

So beautiful. I love butterflies.

[samhass]

This morning I jumped into a thickly planted flowerbed because an anole had just grabbed a beautiful sulfer. Unfortunately, the lizard was faster than I was and got away with the beautiful butterfly.

[gomoho]

That anole was a real a-hole if you ask me.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by samhass

Connie, I have been raising Monarchs for years.
I have a few asclepias plants I can spare if you are interested in butterfly habitat.

I love seeing butterflies take flight for the first time. It would be so amazing if we could make TV one huge butterfly habitat. There are dozens in my yard at any given time..and not just Monarchs.

Plants should also be making seed soon, so I will have lots of seeds available later in the fall.

Is Asclepia the Latin name for Milkweed? I would love to have some....let me know later on when the pods start getting ready. I haven't prepared the ground for plants yet......still working on the inside of the house! but I can always put a few milkweed in among the landscaping....thanks for the offer!

[cquick]

Originally Posted by jojo

Wish I would have been there. Was there a notice in the Sun?

yes, there was an article about it in the Sun a few days ago. I cut it out and put it on my calendar. Not sure if it was in the paper yesterday.

There were lots of people there.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by teachnmo

Attachment 5251

Attachment 5252

These are two of the pics taken by Bruce Kavin in Hemingway from the Butterfly Release. He was fortunate to be up close to take the pics.

oh, I can see a tag on the monarch's wing. I helped do that!

[hotrodgirl]

Originally Posted by cquick

Is Asclepia the Latin name for Milkweed? I would love to have some....let me know later on when the pods start getting ready. I haven't prepared the ground for plants yet......still working on the inside of the house! but I can always put a few milkweed in among the landscaping....thanks for the offer!

Yes, showy milkweed! See link.

PLANTS Profile for Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) | USDA PLANTS

[samhass]

Originally Posted by hotrodgirl

Yes, showy milkweed! See link.

PLANTS Profile for Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) | USDA PLANTS

I have the plants in the bottom left corner.

[wpenn]

I had the privilege of tagging 10 of the butterflies released Friday.
Incredible experience.