My right eye was twitching, and so it was definitely going to be my lucky day...okay, I tend not to believe in such superstitions but I was indeed lucky to behold the sight of such visitors in my garden.
The following pictures were taken through a window. Thus, please pardon all the blurriness. I didn't dare open the window in case it flies away. This is a praying mantis on my garden shade. Did you know that the green praying mantis that is so prevalent all across the USA is not a native insect. It was introduced to the USA in the late nineteenth century, and apparently was quite devastating for the native insect population. Though praying mantis is considered a beneficial insect in the garden but it can be also not quite that beneficial as it eats not only the bad insects but also the good ones.
While observing the mantis, I saw some red fluttering through the corner of my eyes. Is it a cardinal? No, it cannot be as it was a much graceful flight. As I rushed outside, I behold the sight.
YAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...after a much long wait, I finally see a Monarch in my garden :-D:-D:-D...this is indeed a very joyous day for me. Where did it come from? How did it find my garden? I live in a densely populated northern NJ, close to such metropolitan areas as Manhattan, Newark, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Hoboken, Bronx, Brooklyn. Yes, there are lots and lots of greeneries everywhere along with woods and forests but there are no milkweeds or butterfly-weeds anywhere as I visit all these places all the time. Garden centers, home-depot, lowes, walmarts -- no one even sells this plant as it is considered an obnoxious weed here. But, still this butterfly found my garden, and was fluttering from one flower to another, and drinking nectar. I hope it was able to nourish its body in its migration from north to south (it must be on its way to Mexico now?). So, I am on top of the moon now.
I am joing the Nature Note's Meme for Monday, October 5, 2015 with Rambling Woods
The following pictures were taken through a window. Thus, please pardon all the blurriness. I didn't dare open the window in case it flies away. This is a praying mantis on my garden shade. Did you know that the green praying mantis that is so prevalent all across the USA is not a native insect. It was introduced to the USA in the late nineteenth century, and apparently was quite devastating for the native insect population. Though praying mantis is considered a beneficial insect in the garden but it can be also not quite that beneficial as it eats not only the bad insects but also the good ones.
While observing the mantis, I saw some red fluttering through the corner of my eyes. Is it a cardinal? No, it cannot be as it was a much graceful flight. As I rushed outside, I behold the sight.
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YAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...after a much long wait, I finally see a Monarch in my garden :-D:-D:-D...this is indeed a very joyous day for me. Where did it come from? How did it find my garden? I live in a densely populated northern NJ, close to such metropolitan areas as Manhattan, Newark, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Hoboken, Bronx, Brooklyn. Yes, there are lots and lots of greeneries everywhere along with woods and forests but there are no milkweeds or butterfly-weeds anywhere as I visit all these places all the time. Garden centers, home-depot, lowes, walmarts -- no one even sells this plant as it is considered an obnoxious weed here. But, still this butterfly found my garden, and was fluttering from one flower to another, and drinking nectar. I hope it was able to nourish its body in its migration from north to south (it must be on its way to Mexico now?). So, I am on top of the moon now.
I am joing the Nature Note's Meme for Monday, October 5, 2015 with Rambling Woods
What a wonderful thing to see in your own yard .. Beautiful monarch, no wonder you are over the moon! And the mantis through the window is a great shot too... It was a good week for you!
ReplyDeleteYour milkweed is a beacon of hope for this particular Monarch KL. How lovely that it found some nourishment to aide it on it's journey south in your garden. I can understand why you are over the moon. Good bye Mr Monarch - we shall hopefully see you again next year.
ReplyDeleteLuckily the praying mantis is not in my garden...and yes a monarch! I am so excited for you!
ReplyDeleteGreat captures.... the mantis is so interesting and so deadly a predator.. and YEA a monarch... I saw one here and hatched five eggs and released..not a banner year.. Thank you for the comments on my photos. I am using my small Panasonic Lumix and sometimes I get good photos with it if I am lucky...but you made my day.. Thank you... Michelle
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulous photos :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Your excitement for seeing the monarch leapt from the screen!
ReplyDeleteMilkweed is sold everywhere! Check your local nurseries. Plus, it's sold at dozens of online nurseries. But I'm so glad the monarch stopped by. It's always exciting to see them.
ReplyDeleteHi KL, thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! I am so happy that my blog has inspired you to plant some roses in your own garden and that you are enjoying their fragrance.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that a Monarch butterfly was visiting your garden. I think it is such a great thing that you planted Milkweed for them as a food source!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Christina
Hello, congrats on the Monarch and the manits sightings. Great shots and post. . I am sorry I am commenting so late! Thanks so much for linking up! Have a happy day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful Monarch!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you, a great sign of when having the right plants the wildlife will come. Unfortunately it doesn’t apply to my garden – over here in UK we rarely see monarchs, only if one has got lost and come over from southern Europe. They can’t survive the winter here.
ReplyDelete