Author | Lightnews

M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 29

Wander around the area and check. They do prefer the tender and newly emerged leaves, but they will make their uber concealed chrysalises on the branches below, too. They are sneaky and much smaller than you think, too. So far, our four are doing well. Just replaced their food with fresh tips.

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 29

The poofs are getting big. They're already integrated into the main flock and are even going to roost in the coop at night on their own. Granted, they haven't quite figured out the roosting bars and roosting pecking order yet, but they're well ahead of the curve, already, so not complaining! 😁

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 26

Day 2 of reared wild monarch releases from the 5 year moth-balled (because no one showed up to breed) from Elf & Dragon Wildlife Refuge & Monarch Respite #monarchwaystation. 😁🥰 #becurious #natureiscool #getoutside #monarchbutterfly

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 24

Check the smallest, youngest, tenderest leaves first. 👍

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 24

The monarchs were sunning on the corn leaves this morning before taking wing over the common milkweed and spreading dogbane patches in the adjacent fields and breaks. This pretty girl actually let me get close. 🦋 #becurious

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 24

We may have collected sap from some gooey pine trees of various species (always carry vessels of collection, because you never know!). Why? Retsina-style mead making, of course. 🌲🥂

M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 23

I've seen them once in a great while (probably because they are so smol) over the years, but never actually tried rearing them before. They're like wee little leeches when they move, too. 🤣

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 23

Oh, and the zebra swallowtail pids are also doing well, though OMFG they are so smol (compared to the monarchs and the BSTs. One of their parents egg bombed my paw paw tree saplings on the front porch, the beautiful, rotten, stinker. 🤣💚 #zebraswallowtail #becurious #getoutside #natureiscool

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 23

Dorito would like to remind you that these five are doing well, integrating with the rest of the flock well, and still looking like 4 out of 5 are pullets. #backyardchickens #chickenlife #hatchyourown #homesteading

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 23

I did not expect this fatty #yellowbear catty to come running at me out of one of our patches of purple top grass while I was planting a spotted joe pye weed by one of our drainage ditches. Sorry, folks, it's my favorite season and the caterpillar wins. 🐛😎👍 #virginiatigermoth #becurious

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 21

The boys are back in town! Look at all these beautiful paper wasp bois (this is an old hornet's nest; their actual nest is probably in the soffit). If I start posting pictures of me holding wasps, remember, don't be alarmed. These cuties are harmless. #becurious #getoutside #natureiscool

M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 21

A new (to me) little moth in the backyard (that made itself all apparent on the garage door for a moment. A yellow-fringed dolichomia moth. That's a bit of a mouthful, so I'm just going to call her Steph. 😝 #becurious #natureiscool #getoutside

M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 20

Ok, I've been piling a lot of Lepidoptera in your feeds, lately, so I'm going to mix it up and remind you about our thicc cuddle noodle, Jerry, who is shyly trying to eat the ass-end of his dinner. 😑😒 #ballpython #royalpython #snekfren #snekfamily

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 19

Do you know about or have the #milkweed that doesn't look, smell, or grow like a milkweed (other than the seed pods!)? It's not a monarch's favorite, but they absolutely can and will use it. Meet the #honeyvinemilkweed (Cynanchum laeve). 😅 #savethemonarchs #becurious #getoutside #natureiscool

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 19

Not sure without knowing the species; I've definitely seen big ones (and close relatives of these that are ginormous).....and then there are the plants inside our house. 🤣 All the beeg plonts, yay!!!

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M @elfndragon.bsky.social · Aug 19

Found another two of these fancy f*cks in the garden this evening. I THINK I got them all now; sneakin' thieves. Also have one saddled up and ready to find its chrysalis form, and another two fatties were on walkabout and will be following close behind. #bst #blackswallowtail #becurious