Monarch Caterpillars in my garden 2013

Yesterday I discovered four monarch caterpillars on my 10 shoots of milkweed! Wahoo! But before I get to those beauties, almost two weeks ago I watched this little beauty on the salvia in my butterfly garden (the first time I've seen butterflies on this plant that normally attracts swarms of bees)

The other day I was lucky enough to catch a monarch floating past my garden, but it didn't stop. I assumed this was because the milkweed has not yet bloomed. So, the appearance of the caterpillars was a welcome surprise!
 From yesterday:

 After gathering one of the little guys and placing him in a new home inside my house (we'll see if I can do a good job as an adoptive butterfly mama), I noticed another little guy on top of the milkweed flower buds... bringing the total to five monarch caterpillars! (click on the photos to enlarge)

I'll try to check on them and get new pictures each day.

Want to see some of these in your yard? Plant some milkweed in full sun.

This is my second year where I've had monarch caterpillars. Last year I also had some swallowtail caterpillars, but doubt I'll get any this year as all my dill and parsley died, so I don't have any food for them. Maybe next year.

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