New Monarch butterflies, new caterpillars and activity across the canal

Nine brand new Monarch butterflies have hatched in the last few days.  All were healthy and flew off to begin their short lives and boost the numbers of the species which has been bordering on endangered.  Most were in my enclosure so that their release was easy when the time came.  Most just flew out as soon as I opened the door without any help from me.  I did put one boy on a nearby plant for a rest until he was ready.

Pretty boy waiting for just the right time for his first flight.

I thought I had moved all the caterpillars into the enclosure, even the ones I found on a big plant inside the patio.  I had put it out to attract some Monarchs to lay eggs but never found any so I took it back in.  When I finally saw the caterpillar on it, is was almost big enough to start his cocoon.  So I moved him into the enclosure but he never fared well.  His attempt to pupate got halfway finished, and he couldn't complete it.  It looks like he was affected by an insecticide.  I don't use any so I can only guess it came from outside.  

To my surprise, one day I saw that two butterflies had hatched somewhere inside the pool screen and were flying around!  That's a scenario I try to avoid because the screening is the domed variety and maybe 15 feet high.  Getting them out can be a challenge.  I was lucky this time and able to catch them using a pool net on a long pole and release them.

Attached to the high screen waiting for rescue.

New girl on the screen

A new group of tiny caterpillars have now just hatched from eggs that were on a plant that I held in my hand outside a few days ago, when I saw a Monarch bumping against the pool screen to get at the milkweed inside.  She laid a number of eggs as I held the plant, and now they have hatched.  It only took about three days, which is fast.  The problem is that the plant had mealy bugs on it .  I tried to knock most of them off.  It probably won't cause a problem; at least I hope not.

In other non-butterfly news, we have a Muscovy female in the backyard that has now become a regular,  She's a pretty little girl.  I always like to have girls.  I have too many boys, and it can get chaotic if they start fighting.

Pretty girl is a new backyard regular.

A lot of activity took place across the canal today.  It included visits from a great egret, an Egyptian goose, a large iguana, and a black vulture.

This egret is standing very tall.

Looking around for something.  Maybe another goose.

Putting on his serious face

Did he find something to eat over there?

 

The gallinule parents with their three juvenile kids were also foraging across the canal.  They have lost their bald heads now, for the most part, but mom and dad still feed them.

The kids checking for goodies by the water's edge.

Dad returning from our side of the canal with some food pilfered from the ducks.

Finally, our kitties Finn and Callie took up spots under the patio furniture to survey the goings-on.

Callie prefers to be in the background, but Finn likes to be out front.