Tag: Monarch Butterfly

Butterfly Gardening with Eloise and Madeline

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Madeline and Eloise

Last summer the Ciaramitaro girls stopped by our garden to see a newly emerged Monarch butterfly.  After releasing the butterfly, Eloise wanted to learn more about the Monarchs, and butterflies in general. This year she remembered from their visit the previous year that the Monarch caterpillar food plant is milkweed. Eloise, who I am convinced is a budding naturalist and artist, is an avid gardener (just ask her about her vegetable patch!), so I promised her milkweed plants. We scouted out a sunny a corner of the family’s yard and, after mom Jill helped dig up the sod, we planted a petite butterfly garden, with Common Milkweed for the Monarchs, parsley and fennel for the Black Swallowtails, and marigolds to attract the nectaring insects. We’re looking forward to their first butterfly sightings!

Eloise

Chickity Check It!- Kim Smith Monarch Butterfly Migration Late Summer 2010

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Monarch Butterfly Migration Late Summer 2010

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Magical Seaside Goldenrod

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Dear Gardening Friends,

So many have telephoned or emailed inquiring about the status of the annual Monarch butterfly migration through our region. This past summer I have observed umpteen Monarch butterflies and caterpillars in cultivated gardens, wildflower meadows, and along the shoreline; however, I did not see the great numbers in great heaps roosting in any one particular place that I have observed in some years past. Rather I would find a small passel here and a small passel there—perhaps several dozen at a time—roosting in the wild black cherry trees (Prunus serotina) at Eastern Point, awakening in the early morning and nectaring at the Seaside Goldenrod in the meadow below.

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Monarchs Mimic Withering foliage of Black Cherry Tree

Although the Monarchs are guided genetically, using their internal sun-compass navigation and circadian clock, each year the annual southward migration takes a different form that depends on many other variables, primarily the weather conditions in their overwintering site in Michoacán, Mexico as well as weather patterns in their US and Canadian breeding grounds. Because Cape Ann is located at approximately 43 degrees latitude north, our peak migration pattern is estimated at around September 11, but I modify this pattern because of the strong winds and storms we often experience in the late summer living along the coastline.

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For All You Butterfly Freaks-

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Monarch Butterfly Pic From Kim Smith
Monarch Butterfly Pic From Kim Smith

GMG fan and respected butterfly author Kim Smith will be giving a lecture about the monarch butterfly and hold an exhibit at SFL

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Dear Gardening Friends,

Attached are two invitations. The first is a printable pdf of my upcoming Monarch lecture and exhibit, with all new photos, which will be held in the Matz Gallery at the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester during the month of September. Look for my article about the Monarchs in the upcoming fall issue of Cape Ann Magazine (available August 28th).
The second invitation is for a concert our daughter Olivia has organized to benefit the Annisquam Village Church. This coming Friday evening she and her friends, under the auspices of Kathleen Adams, are performing a wonderful selection of classical music, with reception to follow. Olivia is entering her senior year at Boston University, majoring in opera and vocal performance. Many of my readers know of her beautiful singing. We would be delighted to see you there. I don’t typically send non-gardening related notices, but, she is my daughter–please forgive.

Happy last days of August–not to despair–summer doesn’t officially end until September 21st. September and October are two of the most beautiful months in our region. The light becomes warmly atmospheric, and if we are fortunate, the balmy weather will persist.

All very best wishes,
Kim