Friday, June 05, 2009

Monarch in the Milkweed

A female Monarch butterfly
came to the Milkweed.

I know this butterfly is a female because
there is not a scent gland on her hind wing.
The males have a black spot on their hind wing
which are scent scales.


Lots of butterflies enjoy this flower.

Every year I plant a few more plants.
They are perennials but it has taken a few years for them to get
established in my gardens.




She looks as if she just emerged.
I shall go look for a male.

18 comments:

Aunt "B's" Backyard said...

Beautiful, no wonder they nickname it butterfly weed! They are stunning shots!!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Simply beautiful. I will have to go look at my butterfly weed to see if anybody is nectaring there.

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry....isn't she lovely.....her colours are breathtaking.....and she blends so beautifully with the milkweed.

Summer is well and truly on its way when the butterflies start to arrive......

Deb said...

Spectacular!
Have a wonderful weekend Sherry!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

LOVE love orange!

Carol said...

Now I need to plant some milkweed. I know the Monarchs come to the area, but never to my yard.

Beautiful photos.

www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Milkweed is a two edged sword. Toxic to us, but the insects love the blossoms.

Wendy said...

Oh Sherry, these photos are awesome! That monarch looks like she's about to fly out of the pic and into our face! I didn't realize milkweed was so pretty. And thanks for the explanation of the difference between male and female. I'd never have known.
Happy gardening!

Debra Howard said...

What stunning pictures! Great job. I just love butterfly pictures and flower pictures and you got both! Great informative post too.
Debbie

Jayne said...

Perfect backdrop for the gorgeous orange!

Judy said...

Sherry, I learn so much from you! This is not the milkweed we have growing wild here, but it is a lot prettier! I admire your patience with the butterflies!

Chrissie said...

Wonderful photos, Sherry. Really colourful and the butterflies are so beautiful.

Appalachian Lady said...

My butterfly weed is just starting to bloom today. Great photos of the monarch.

JacquiKnight said...

Beautiful! Great photographs, and the milkweed looks so bright and colourful - it's a foggy morning here in New Zealand, but your photo is a reminder that spring will come in a few months.

Jacqui
www.monarch.org.nz

Mary said...

Sherry - non-gardener speaking here: I can't find milkweed to plant. I guess I will have to call nurseries nearby to find it. Ugh. You may laugh if you want to :o)

Your Monarch is beautiful.

Mary

Juliet said...

Beautiful butterflies, flowers, and photos of them! That wonderful orange milkweed is on my wish list - I've not seen it over here yet but I live in hope!

mon@rch said...

My all time fav butterfly!

Mel said...

BEAUTIFUL Sherry!!