Author Archives: Monika Maeckle

Scientific Research in Progress at the San Antonio River Museum Reach Milkweed Patch

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

Scientific research underway by the Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project at the San Antonio River Milkweed Patch. SLIDESHOW Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, San Antonio Museum Reach, San Antonio River Walk, Where to see butterflies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

San Antonio Museum Reach Milkweed Patch Becomes Official Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project Site

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

San Antonio’s Milkweed Patch Becomes Latest Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project Site and First to be monitored in 2012, as Monarch Butterflies take up permanent residence in San Antonio. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, climate change, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, San Antonio Museum Reach, San Antonio River Walk, Where to see butterflies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Wildflower Bonanza-to-be on the San Antonio Mission Reach, Thanks to Above-average Rains

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

Wildflowers budding on the San Antonio Mission Reach. Check out the slideshow and a link to better understand the complex collaboration that brought the Mission Reach to life. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Drought, San Antonio Mission Reach, Where to see butterflies, wildflowers | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Happy Darwin Day! Would Charles Darwin be Pleased or Horrified at Butterflies as Quick Change Artists?

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

What would Charles Darwin think on his 203rd birthday of butterflies capacity for rapid, evolutionary change? Hmmm. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, climate change | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Occupy Michoacan: Monarch Butterflies Move West Because of Deforestation and Climate Change

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

Occupy MIchoacan! Monarch butterflies move a bit further west in their roost because of climate change and deforestation. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, climate change, Drought, Mexico, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch Migration | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

It’s official: Warmer Winters Cause USDA to Revise Plant Hardiness Zones, San Antonio’s Moves Closer to the Coast

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

It’s official: Warmer winters Cause USDA to revise plant heartiness zones, something butterflies and blooms have been communicating for years. Yep, it’s getting warmer. Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, San Antonio Museum Reach, San Antonio River Walk | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Timely Rains, Pent-up Seed Bank, and Little Competition Raise Hopes for a Banner 2012 Wildflower Season

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

The historic Texas drought continues but recent rains raise hopes and streams for a banner 2012 wildflower season. And that means more butterflies. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, Drought, San Antonio Museum Reach, seeds, Texas Hill Country, wildflowers | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Plant Lady” Lee Marlowe, Guardian of San Antonio River Riparian Restoration, Names Top 10 Troublesome Plants

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

A talk with “the Plant Lady,” Lee Marlowe, of the San Antonio River Authority and Guaurdian of its restoration. Lee shares her Top 10 Most Troublesome plants. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Milkweed, San Antonio Mission Reach, San Antonio Museum Reach, San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio Riverwalk, Where to see butterflies | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Butterfly FAQ: Pros and Cons of Tropical Milkweed and What to do with a Winter Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar or Chrysalis

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

Butterfly FAQs today: What to do with late season Monarch caterpillars you find this winter? And, some thoughts on the pros and cons of Tropical milkweed, that hearty, ubiquitous Monarch butterfly host plant. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, San Antonio River Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

UPDATE: Winter Monarch Butterflies are Reproducing at the Museum Reach Milkweed Patch on the San Antonio River Walk

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

Winter Monarch butterflies are hooking up on the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk. University of Minnesota graduate student Kelly Nail visits to monitor their progress at our favorite public milkweed patch. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, Queen caterpillar, San Antonio River Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments