Pelican ProseThoughts from a Pelican: Louisiana Boy

Dec

10

2023

23 Comments

By Hugh Pinckard

Overwintering in Louisiana Early December Update

Garden, Monarch Butterfly, Nature

Here we are into the second week of December, well past the Monarch Butterfly Migration period. After rescuing several Monarch Caterpillars last month from passing Monarchs, we are having quite a bit of success with this trial of "LA OverWinter Project.” Of course, previously I mentioned the mating of “IhHabitat" The butterflies are thriving in the large habitat. Female FeedingMale Climbing WallHealth MaleCaring for MaleTransplanting MilkweedMilkweed TransplantedInDoorHabitatLgIndoor Butterfly Habitat Eggs have hatched, caterpillars are eating and growing. The potted InHabitat Milkweed plants seem to survive the act of being uprooted from the “Butterfly Garden” and placed into pots and inserted…

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Nov

28

2023

1 Comment

By Hugh Pinckard

Arrival of mid Autumn

Garden, Monarch Butterfly, Naturebutterfly garden, butterfly habitat, Monarch butterfly, Monarch Caterpillar, Pollinator Garden

With the arrival of mid Autumn our weather has changed from the warm temperatures suitable for the arial activities of the Monarch Butterfly north of the 29th latitude, much less the 32nd of the “Pinckard Monarch Butterfly Ranch’s Garden”. All of the Monarch supplies and habitats have been cleaned, sanitized, and stored for the “Off Season.” We started working on the Gardens, both the Butterfly and Pollinator. All of our “Potted Plants” are moved into the security of the garage for their overwintering, including artificial lighting, airflow, and watering. Thorough weeding and deadheading of the gardens are completed. Many of…

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Oct

28

2023

1 Comment

By Hugh Pinckard

2023 Season is Ending

Garden, Monarch Butterfly, Nature

Autumn is here; the weather is changing and our Monarch Butterflies are heading to Mexico, the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. As I was tending to the chores of clean, disinfecting, and storing our butterfly gear, I took some time to look over the “Butterfly Garden”. First to catch my attention were several “Bumble Bees” sheltering under flowers and leaves. . Then I notice Monarch Butterfly frass (dropping) and with that I found two(2) caterpillars eating. I walked around the “Butterfly Garden” and the “Pollinator Garden” and found and rescued seven(7) caterpillars. They were moved into the habitat. Add to…

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Jul

06

2023

3 Comments

By Hugh Pinckard

New Season: More Monarch Butterflies and Gardens

Garden, Monarch Butterfly, NatureButterfly, butterfly garden, Monarch, Monarch butterfly, Pollinator Garden, pollinators

Time, attention, care, and love; this combination helps transform a bed into a haven for Butterflies, Bee (Bumble & Honey), Hummingbirds, and other animals. We are in our third year/season of raising Monarch Butterflies. Our garden is comprised of “Butterfly Milkweed,” “Swamp Milkweed,” “Showy Milkweed,” and “Common Milkweed” for the purpose of the Laying of Eggs and the Feeding of Monarch Butterflies and Caterpillars. We have planted over one hundred (100) plants, both in the Garden/Beds and in Pots for use in the habitats. During the “Over Wintering” period, we germinate and sprout our harvested seeds; providing “naturalized” milkweed plants…

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Mar

05

2023

2 Comments

By Hugh Pinckard

Butterfly Garden Grows and Gains another Bed

Garden, Monarch Butterflygarden, Monarch butterfly, pollinators, seeding

With Germination and Sprouting of Seeds of multiple varieties of Milkweed and Pollinators, I have modified and repurposed the Azalea bed. Several of our Azaleas did not overwinter well. Our week of "extreme cold" (for Louisiana) took its toll. These plants had to be removed. Instead of replacing them with like Azaleas, I worked the bed with fresh compost (homegrown even). I removed all signs of any Non-Monarch-Friendly pollinators. Now we are only waiting for our last "cold snap," my maternal grandfather always told us not to plant before Good Friday. Here we wait with great anticipation and anxiety. I…

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Feb

25

2023

2 Comments

By Hugh Pinckard

Monarch Garden Emerging from Winter

Garden, Monarch Butterflygarden, Monarch butterfly, pollinators

We are in our third year/season of raising Monarch Butterflies. Our garden is comprised of “Butterfly Milkweed,” “Swamp Milkweed,” “Showy Milkweed,” and “Common Milkweed” for the purpose of the Laying of Eggs and the Feeding of Monarch Butterflies and Caterpillars. We have planted over one hundred (100) plants, both in the Garden/Beds and in Pots for use in the habitats. During the “Over Wintering” period, we germinate and sprout our harvested seeds; providing “naturalized” milkweed plants for our visitors. In addition, we have planted over three hundred (300) seeds and/or bulbs of “Pollinator Plants” to provide a large variety…

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Jul

10

2022

1 Comment

By Hugh Pinckard

Tiny Tim our “Special” Monarch Butterfly

Garden, Monarch Butterfly, Naturebutterfly habitat, Monarch butterfly

Tiny Tim is our "Special Needs" Monarch Butterfly. He is one of the five(5) of our second batch of sixteen(16) Monarchs. More on the others later; this is Tiny Tim's Story. <img width="360" height="240" src="https://pelicanprose.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_1717-360x240.jpg" alt="Underdeveloped Monarch Butterfly" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/pelicanprose.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_1717-scaled.jpg?resize=360%2C240&ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/pelicanprose.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_1717-scaled.jpg?zoom=2&resize=360%2C240&ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/pelicanprose.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_1717-scaled.jpg?zoom=3&resize=360%2C240&ssl=1 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px" /> Good Morning and Happy 4th of July. The day started off just as any other in the live of a Monarch Butterfly Rancher. We have five(5) Chrysalis hanging in the "outdoor habitat" and five(5) in the "indoor habitat." These fellas did not get the predawn start of their six(6) predecessors…

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Jul

06

2022

0 Comments

By Hugh Pinckard

New & Improved Monarch Butterfly Garden

Family, Garden, Monarch Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly Garden 2021 Monarach Butterfly Garden 2022 Not a day goes by that we don't hear and/or see "New and Improved." Well, now it is my turn: What a difference a year makes. We have made a lot of improvements to our Monarch Butterfly Garden. Some of the changes/improvements we must credit to God, time, and "Mother Nature" as time to grow has filled out a lot of plants. We have added several "Milkweed" plants; having planted over one hundred (100) plants and/or seed. There are four (4) varieties: Tropical/Butterfly Milkweed, Yellow Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, and Showy Milkweed. Over…

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Nov

30

2021

0 Comments

By Hugh Pinckard

Lazarus the Monarch Butterfly

Family, Garden, Monarch Butterfly, NatureButterfly, butterfly habitat, Monarch butterfly

I'm just an Egg <img src="https://pelicanprose.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MonarchEggCloseUp-150x150.jpg" alt="Monarch Egg" width="150" height="113" /> One November day, my mother places me on the underside of a Milkweed plant leaf. Monarch Butterfly eggs are only laid on the Milkweed plant; however, there are around one hundred (100) varieties. I am only the size of the head of a straight pin. I will stay in my shell for one to five days (1-5). I will begin to grow and develop. As I grow, I will break out and the shell will become my first meal; as I will eat it before moving onto eating leaves.…

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Oct

23

2021

2 Comments

By Hugh Pinckard

Pinckard Monarch Butterfly Ranch

Garden, Monarch Butterfly, Naturebutterfly garden, butterfly habitat, caterpillar, chrysalide, chrysalis, Monarch butterfly

This all started back in July; every year I try to spend quality time with my grandchildren. My Mother and I try to plan "grand adventures" so that we have quality time and make memories. This year, after our ocean cruise was cancelled, we took a week, traveled to Branson, MO, stayed at a "Dude Ranch" in Northern Arkansas. We day tripped to "Silver Dollar City" and another to ride the "Branson Scenic Railway" and a short visit to the "Butterfly Palace". We stayed at the ranch for quite time, relaxing, game-time, and horseback/trail riding. I tell you all of…

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