Milkweed Munching Time Trials

In spite of wretched hot, sticky weather, the action in the Milkweed Arena this morning was non-stop.  Here you have little M busily munching away on his/her milkweed leaf.  It is a bit slow-going right now, as M is only about 1/16 of an inch long.  However, you can't count out Team Monarch Caterpillar in these events, in spit of the currently small size.  By the time the AOG start on the 23rd, M will be at least an inch in length and a prodigious eater.  

Meanwhile, in another section of the Arena, Team Milkweed Tussock Moth Cat were hard at work on their wardrobes (see Extra).  The whole team was in the midst of a costume change (also known as a molt) so were taking a break from skeletonizing the milkweed.  As a side note, if you look closely at the image, you'll see small white fluff balls near some of the wee caterpillars - this is the old skin that they've just shed.  I think they are in their 3rd instar phase now, although I could be mistaken.

I've not been sleeping at all well recently and didn't finally get to sleep until after 3:30 this morning.  Consequently, I slept until nearly 9 at which point the heat and humidity outside were already unpleasant.  So, no kayak trip this morning.  But, I did sit outside in the shade for a while, watching the comings and goings of the hummingbirds.  The resident male is nearly out of his tiny mind, trying to chase everyone else away from HIS feeders, flowers, etc.  Wait until he is joined by more males as they start heading south from further north of us!

As a reminder the AOG officially kicks off on 23 July.  Between now and then, please tag your pre-game coverage images with #aog21pre and for details about the Alternative Olympic Games, click HERE.  And if you are inclined, please spread the word!  

Dark with ginger today...

xo
Debbi