This lovely Monarch was feeding along the Colonial Parkway, near Yorktown, at mid-day today.
The entire bank of a pond was covered with purple milk vetch, Astragalus; butterfly weed , Asclepias; daisies, and grasses.
A perfect habitat for a Monarch to feed and to lay its eggs welcomed this little one on a perfect, sunny late May day.
I didn’t see the Monarch at first. My lens was focused on Mountain Laurels growing on the opposite bank.
And as we were pulling into the parking area, we spotted a family of swans. You’ll see the swans in another post.
While I was following them around, my partner, always the keen observer, spotted the Monarch.
He pointed it out as I returned to the car; both of us thrilled to spot a Monarch in an area where it can lay its eggs and expect them to survive to the next generation.
This pond lies on Federal land. The sunny bank of wildflowers is part of the narrow National Park, maintained by our National Park Service, which skirts both sides of the Colonial Parkway.
These gorgeous wildflowers and all of the creatures who live here are protected.
At one time Virginia, like much of the United States, was covered in wildflowers each spring. Our rich soil and abundant rain support luxuriant growth.
Where land is regularly mown, many are destroyed before they can flower and set seed. One of the joys of drives along the Parkway are the many species left alone to grow each year.
The purple flowered Milk Vetch is a member of the pea family. If you’ve ever grow peas, or sweet pea flowers, you see the resemblance immediately.
These plant improve the soil by fixing nitrogen, taken in through the stomata on the leaves, in little growths on the roots. When the plant dies back or is cut, the roots remain to fertilize the soil with extra nitrogen.
This stand of milkweed ensures the survival of the Monarchs as it is their preferred host plant.
All of these plants feed insects now, and later birds will eat their seeds.
Wildflowers hold the soil against erosion, cleanse the air of pollution, and add to the beauty of this spot along the Parkway.
How much richer we all would be if more government and private land were allowed to bloom in wildflowers each year. How much better for species like the Monarch, who rely on spots like this for their very survival.
Although the adults will enjoy nectar from many flowers, the larval caterpillars eat milkweed leaves.
These will bloom in a few more days, adding to the beauty here and providing food for butterflies and other nectar loving insects.
“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.”
Native American Saying
–Native American Proverb – See more at: http://www.famousquotesabout.com/on/Wildflower#sthash.jLEHvugU.dpuf
–Native American Proverb – See more at: http://www.famousquotesabout.com/on/Wildflower#sthash.jLEHvugU.dpuf
Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
Forest Garden 