Monarch Film Release Party

Time to PARTY!!! The new film, " The Secret Lives of Monarchs," is now available on Amazon. To celebrate, we are showing the film at the UC Botanical Garden on March 27 at 6 pm. Afterwards, partake of food and drink while listening to live harp music by a local musician. Only $10!! What a deal!! See you there!!


http://events.berkeley.edu/index.php/calendar/sn/bot.html?event_ID=75293&date=2014-03-27&filter=Event%20Type&filtersel=

Anise Swallowtail Eggs

I saw my first Anise Swallowtail of the season yesterday. It was fluttering around some fennel. When I looked more closely, sure enough, she had laid some eggs. The white dots on the foliage in the pic are eggs.

(host plant)

Painted Lady on Amsinckia

This painted lady really seemed to like the Amsinckia blossoms. While taking pictures, it got spooked, but it came right back.

This plant is endangered. I photographed the UC Bot Garden sign so you can read about it. If you look closely at the pic, you can see why it is called fiddleneck: the buds curl into a spiral, looking a bit like the head of a violin.

Cabbage White Eggs

The Cabbage White have become active the past few weeks. These eggs were collected before it got windy. I guess nasturtiums are not their favorite plant, but they seem to take to it pretty well.

Pipevine Swallowtail Release

We released a pipevine swallowtail yesterday. It had overwintered as a chrysalis. It immediately flew up into the trees to catch some sun. I was unable to get a good picture, but you get the idea.

Gulf Fritillary

My caterpillar is getting big. I should cage it before it wanders.

Spring!

The Aristolochia is blooming. Can the Pipevine Swallowtails be far behind?

Monarch

Andy and I released a butterfly this morning. We put it on a flower at eye level for pictures.  The Monarch really seemed to like the Pride of Madeira. It flew away, and then came back to a flower higher up. It is spring, so maybe it will be heading north now.