Pelican ProseThoughts from a Pelican: Louisiana Boy

Jul

06

2026

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By Hugh Pinckard

Monarch Butterfly Chronicles

Monarch Butterfly, UncategorizedMonarch butterfly, monarch butterfly chronicles, rescue raise & release

Book One: A Monarch’s Northbound Odyssey Several years ago, I began my journey with Monarch Butterflies. Monarch Butterflies are not listed as “endangered”; however, they are “Vulnerable”. I entered into the conservatory state of mind and began assisting the monarch population. Only ten percent (10%) of monarch eggs survive to maturity as a butterfly. By the method of “Rescue, Raise, & Release”, I help improve the odds of maturity and survival. I utilize habitats to house and feed monarch caterpillars. With regular and thorough searches of my “Butterfly Garden”, I locate monarch eggs and/or caterpillars. Then, with care, I…

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Oct

18

2025

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By Hugh Pinckard

Rescue, Raise, and Release the book

Monarch Butterfly, Nature

Rescue, Raise, & Release: Create Your Own Monarch Butterfly Experience by Hugh J. Pinckard is a comprehensive guide for anyone passionate about monarch butterfly conservation. It walks readers through the entire process of raising monarchs at home, from rescuing eggs and tiny caterpillars from endangered milkweed patches to caring for them through their remarkable metamorphosis-watching as they transform into vibrant chrysalis and emerge as winged adults. The book details practical techniques, like building affordable rearing enclosures, sourcing and planting milkweed (the monarchs' sole food source for caterpillars), and creating optimal conditions to avoid common pitfalls like disease or predation. Pinckard…

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Mar

29

2025

By Hugh Pinckard

Monarch Butterflies Begin Their Spring Migration

Garden, Monarch Butterfly, NatureMigration, Monarch butterfly

The Majestic Return of Monarch Butterflies to Northwest Louisiana Spring has arrived in northwest Louisiana, and with it comes one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles: the return of the Monarch butterflies. After spending the winter months in the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico, these iconic black-and-orange travelers are making their way back north, gracing our region with their presence. For butterfly enthusiasts, gardeners, and nature lovers alike, this annual migration is a reminder of the resilience and beauty of the natural world. A Long Journey North Each year, Monarch butterflies undertake an incredible multigenerational migration.…

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Dec

04

2024

By Hugh Pinckard

Winterization

Garden, Monarch Butterfly, Nature

Autumn arrived and the weather has been quite mind. As usual, we moved our “Potted Garden” into shelter of the garage. First step of the move was Preparation by putting up new shelving and adding several well located “Grow/Plant Lights” on a automatic timer. Move all of the potted plants, fifty-six(56), in and arrange them. Previous Next Next will be the addition of a fan for air movement and ventilation and automatic watering system. To be followed up with filling and maintaining the germination trays.

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Dec

10

2023

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

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

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

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

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

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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