Where have the Monarch butterflies gone?
I studied monarch caterpillars and butterflies closely about five years ago in Rotorua. There were millions of them and we spent a small fortune feeding caterpillars their very restricted swan plant diet.
Since moving to Auckland two years ago we’ve noticed a drastic decline in butterfly numbers. Plant shops don’t stock swan plants in significant numbers. Caterpillar demand is down.
Where have all the butterflies gone? I discovered where they are hiding.
Echinopsis Chamaecerius and Broxi update.
Not too sure of the science here but i do believe my Echinopsis chamaecerius plant predicts a 2-0 win for Rangers at Parkead tomorrow morning NZ time.
It was a while ago but Broxi gave up on watching flowers after Rangers only managed a late draw against Dundee United a month ago.
Echinopsis Chamaecerius has come on greatly, shrugging off its earlier blooms, and is doing really well. Broxi is quite confident of a good result when Celtic play Rangers.
Western Springs AFC, wild spectators behind the goals.
There were wild scenes behind one of the goals at WSAFC Seddon Fields on Meola road.
Life and death on a swan plant
Swan plants are busy places during summer months. Small creatures depend on this plant for survival.
Resources are finite and the plant struggles.
I’m not the Demogorgon, I’m a pretty Cotyledon flower.
I’m not the Demogorgon, I’m a pretty Cotyledon flower. No pretence with this plant. Work clothes on, covered in waxy dust.
Delosperma Cooperi, stigma and pollination
An older flower well past its best. With anthers mostly gone the female flower is exposed.
The ovary is spilt into 5 segments.
I think ridges on the outer surface form the stigma. A kind of stuck on klingon for incoming pollen grains.
Muriwai, Rocks and Birds and plants and things.
If you find your head in need of a wobble, any of Auckland’s West Coast beaches will do the trick.
Delosperma Cooperi, iceplant magic.
Ooh what a tangled web you weave as I first focus to perceive. It was a smart intro in my head but, lost in translation to the page.
Texas Bluebell or Lisianthus.
Soft green leaves. Deep flowers ensure insects will rattle around the interior for a bit before moving on. Nature always has a plan.
Just sitting watching the flowers grow, Echinacea.
Echinacea is such a fun plant to take pics of. It literally explodes into action
Oncidium Twinkle “Pink Profusion”
I picked up this cute little orchid at Tuckers Orchids in June. The wee flowers were stunning and it is showing signs of flowering again. I took some pics but didn’t get around to completing an investigation. I will when it flowers again. Its worth a look.
Echinopsis Chamaecerius
The small peanut cactus, centre stage, throws out a huge number of beautiful red blooms. It ran out of steam after a couple of weeks.
Gannets are still flying in late November.
Gannets are still flying in From Australia and landing at Muriwai on the cliffs or nearby Sea Stacks. Prime AirBnB(BedsnBirds) sites have been taken. The first gannet chicks are ready for a feed and that fishy smell is in the air. The population is about to explode.
Echinocerius Reichenbachii
Echinocerius Reichenbachii cacti throw out large flowers for their size.
They require little attention and thrive happily on my small deck in Kumeu.
Zombie Apocalithops
Lithops succulents are survivors.
Hever Castle
Work started on Hever Castle long before Henry and Anne dallied in residence. Off-site prefabrication was well underway during the early Cretaceous, 130 million years earlier.
Sandstones used in the construction of walls and pillars in the Italian Gardens contain a record of events from a distant past, far from their present location.
Cattleya Deconstructed.
Form follows function in architecture, however, aesthetics catch the eye. The lower petal evolved over millions of years to provide a hi-viz bee landing pad.
Exquisite design but its all show for the bees.
Cattleya Cool
Male and female Cattleya parts are housed in a beautifully streamlined structure typical of orchids, the tower.
I have my eyes on you, lots of them. The cicada’s eye view.
Distinctive clicking sounds alerted me before I saw this wee critter. Further down the street, towards the trees, sounds from the massed cicada gathering were deafening.
Cactii recovery operation.
Five months ago I repotted a number of plants that had languished for a year in the tiny pots I found them in. Most exploded into life but one fared less well.
This is a happy tale of Cactii who survive the rigours of life on my deck in Kumeū.