Seeing a Monarch butterfly—in any stage of the lifecycle—is, and continues to be, the biggest thrill for me. Capturing this shot of a Monarch caterpillar as it begins the formation of a chrysalis is the photo that makes me happiest.What I like about the photo (click to enlarge) is the depth-of-field, the lavender bloom of the lantana and the detail of the caterpillar attached to the arched plume of fountain grass. The background is the gray flagstone of my garden walk.
This caterpillar left the planting of milkweed in the garden and chose to use a container arrangement for the chrysalis! The Monarch butterfly successfully emerged and was also captured by my camera.
The Monarch butterflies will hopefully return to my area soon. There is now even more milkweed in my garden, a Monarch Waystation, ready to host the amazing stages of the Monarch lifecycle.
This photo is my entry for the Gardening Gone Wild Picture This Photo Contest for June.
| Words and photos by Freda Cameron, Defining Your Home, Garden and Travel. |
I love it! That is a great photo. Carla
ReplyDeleteLooks like a winning photo to me, Cameron! Good luck ... this photo/action/color/depth will be tough to beat!
ReplyDeleteBonne chance!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great photo for the Gardening Gone Wild contest! :)
ReplyDeleteA perfect picture indeed. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Cameron. That is a wonderful photo.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear about your monarch habitat.
Marnie
Cameron, that's a sure winner in my book! Fabulous photo. I've witnessed and photographed that entire process as well and I don't think I'd ever tire of seeing it. A true miracle!
ReplyDeleteI've seen four Monarchs so far this year, with the first being on May 5th. Early for our area, but spring came about three weeks early, too. My Butterfly Weed has buds on it and the other Milkweeds are growing quickly. We're also a Monarch Waystation!
Good luck in the contest!
This is a wonderful photo, Freda! Definitely a winner! I have lots of milkweed now, although none is blooming just yet. I finally planted Asclepias incarnata in various areas throughout my yard, along with 5 or 6 other varieties. And, I am now a certified monarch weigh-station, as well! So thrilling to think about seeing this process up close! I just hope the monarchs will visit me to take advantage of my offerings, as they do for you!
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ReplyDeleteGreat photo, I can see why it's a favorite.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to know what makes your photo your favorite. What a nice image and a cool happening in your garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Freda,
ReplyDeleteI came over to ask you if you ever use the protective enclosure bags on your milkweed to keep the caterpillars safe from predators.
I am so excited to have small caterpillars feeding on my milkweed, but have seen spiders on the milkweed, too. There have also been wasps on some of the blooms. I did dig out some of the mountain mint, hoping to reduce the number of wasps.
I don't think I have enough milkweed for every caterpilar to survive, but am thinking I'd like to enclose a few of them. Larry says that the fittest may get preyed upon if the weaker ones are protected. What do you think and do?
Awesome photo, by the way!
Sue - congratulations on your caterpillars! I haven't yet used the enclosures. I had only 7 caterpillars last year and all 7 survived. All 7 were on 5 of the tall, ascelpias incarnata (swamp milkweed) and none ever hatched on the asclepias tuberosa (orange).
ReplyDeleteOther gardeners do provide protection and even take the milkweed stems with the caterpillars and place in a chrysalis house. Others put them in the mesh tents.
A beautiful photo indeed. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHi, I love Monarchs too. They migrate through here and so we see them spring and fall. They don't usually go through their metamorphosis here. How cool that you got to witness the whole process.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the contest, it is a great frame!
Freda, beautiful photo! vibrant color and capture. A winner!
ReplyDeleteNice composition! You've inspired me to go out and take some more Butterfly photos (well, maybe caterpillars too :)).
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the kind comments. I hope this will just raise awareness for the "good" caterpillars and butterflies!
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