Congrats, congrats, Linda!
I don't think I've seen any monarchs yet - the butterfly I saw that flew by so quickly was most likely a viceroy.
I've got some a. perennis and a. linaria seeds planted, and the a. linaria seeds are coming up nicely - this is a new type MW for me, and I'm hoping they'll do well.
Sherry

Linda,

How exciting! Let us know if you find any eggs on your milkweed plant.

I don't have any milkweed here as I didn't overwinter any plants. I'll know better this winter. I do, however have lots of little A curavassica coming up. There's not much to nectar on either. But everything seems about to explode here. I found new buds on the pipevine and I have a PV about to eclose. The chrysalis turned dark today. A Black Swallowtail eclosed this morning--a male. I'll share them at the seminar tomorrow and then turn them loose. The temps for the next week seem to be pretty moderate. We're getting close to our last freeze date.

Happy BF days,

Sandy

My goodness Linda. This is awful early. I was outside all day and didn't see any monarchs.

Native milkweed has not broken soil yet here.

randy

There is no mistaking for that wonderful "Monarch waltz" in the air. Hope that your new milkweed does well for you,Miss Sherry. I know you have had a time finding the right milkweed for your area. Isn't the A. linaria some of the wild that you found near where you live? I'll bet that the A. perennis will do quite nicely for you, also.

I haven't gotten any Trop. mw planted yet, Sandy. I plan to pick some up at Marilyn's sale. I've been running behind, and as of last Friday,I've gotten even SLOWER! I was cutting back the dead on some Salvia greggii, and wacked off part of the tip of my middle finger of my left hand!!! OUCH!!! So, I got to be treated as a patient in my own place of employment! There was nothing to stitch back, so it is going to have to heal from the inside. And, I'm am going to have to be very, very careful about keeping it out of the dirt. :( I was most fortunate that it wasn't worse than what it was. And, I am right handed, so that has been a help. But, try washing your hair, flossing, trimming, planting, and TYPING with one hand. I know better. I feel pretty stupid.

No eggs, yet. Tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer than today, so hopefully more leaves will come out.

I have new buds on my tomentosa, also. No serpentaria or clematitis, yet. No pipevines. And, only a small pipevine chrys. I sure hope that some have overwintered on the vines. I may have to beg some cats from you. How fun to be able to release some butterflies at your Seminar!!! Have a wonderful time. Be sure to let us know how it went.

Hey Randy. It's really not that early for me to see Monarchs. Last year, I saw my 1st Monarch Mar. 25th. The year before was March 30th. So, it is usually about this time. Last year my milkweed was up March 25th, and I had eggs by March 30th.

Be sure to share when you see your 1st Monarch. The 1st is always so special.

And, be sure to post on Journey North with your 1st Monarch, 1st mw up, and 1st eggs.

Congrats upon your Henric's elfin, Sandy. I should check the Redbuds more closely.

Randy, keep me posted when the Chinaberries start leafing out. I still haven't found a Soapberry hairstreak.

I saw two female monarchs today around lunch time working the henbit blooms and slowly moving north. Both were faded but whole, no ripped or torn wings.

Need to get my tropical milkweed seedlings moved out to the greenhouse to bulk them up a little.

randy

Linda (and anyone else reading this post),

I saw 6 monarchs today!!! They're moving north quickly. I am so sorry about your finger. I need to trim all the salvia back, but I think I'll be really careful after reading your post. Ouch! Ouch!

Thanks on the HE. I went out today by the river and saw lots and lots of BFs. It was so, so cool! I also saw a new moth. I've emailed John to see if he can ID it. It's a little beauty, black with white and red spots on the wings. The red is next to the thorax, and the white looks like two little uplifted hands (like when people are praising the Lord) on the edge of the wings. Just absolutely gorgeous!

It's only a week and a day until the sale in Norman. Can't wait. I need some milkweed that's up and ready to eat! All you in Kansas and Missouri, keep a watch, the Monarchs are heading your way!

Sandy

Oh wow, you guys are so Lucky!!

Two springs ago I saw my first monarch in mid april which is very early here. Last year, they were much later...the beginning of June.

It's amazing that anything could nectar on a dandelion..but last year I saw a very early Tiger Swallowtail nectaring on dandelion. (All I can think of is that awful bitter dandelion wine that my Great grandfather used to make.)

Linda, hope your finger heals quickly!

Maryann in CT

I saw my first monarch today, didn't look to see if it was a male or female. My MW is just little seedlings now, so I kinda hope it wasn't a female with eggs! :(
Sherry