Horseweed. Horseweed, and the monarch butterfly. My wife once read a book called Bicycling with butterflies. The about reads as follows "A few years ago, outdoor educator and field researcher Sara Dykman decided to do something no one has ever done before—pedal along with monarch butterflies over the entire length of their 10,201-mile migratory journey. She did it alone, on a hand-built bicycle, through three countries."
My wife ended up learning a lot about the elusive butterflies and how they are endangered. They're endangered due to landscape-scale threats, pesticides and climate change. But there are some things we can do to help. Two simple things are to not use pesticides on your lawn and to let things grow! Things like horseweed and milkweed.
My wife and I are not the type to use any kind of yard treatment for weed or anything of that nature. Grow don't mow is our motto. And because of that, we found that we have horseweed that grows in our yard.
The monarch butterfly loves horseweed. We have seen them every year in our yard since we have let this stuff grow. Finally last week I was lucky enough to capture a picture. I couldn't believe it! Take a look.
This is the best picture I think I've ever taken of any butterfly. To see a monarch butterfly today is really rare and I could not be happier to have had the opportunity to see one this close!
My wife and I try to keep a friendly yard to the wildlife in our area. From birds to squirrels, to butterflies and deer. We enjoy having them all.
You can see our window bird feeder which has brought so many different types of birds. Birds I never knew we had in our area. The squirrels also love the black oil sunflower seeds as you can see. So, I did end up getting them their own feeder.
They have yet to notice their new food joint, but hopefully soon I will have pictures to share!
That's a look ay my window this weeks. I'll be back soon with more!
Take care.
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