by Donna Lewis
Is it December? Maybe I missed something somewhere. This warm weather is not only messing up my trying to figure out whether I wear sweatpants or shorts, but it has a real effect on the wildlife and plants.
I have hundreds of Gulf Coast Fritillaries coming awake when they should be over wintering snug in their chrysalis forms.
So… Why is this not good for them? Look outside, there are very few, if any, nectar plants for them. Hardly any wildflowers are in bloom and our own gardens have gone to sleep as they should. All we can do is watch, learn, and wait for Mother Nature to do her thing.
The birds that are here in Central Texas are also wondering, hello, what is going on?
While warm weather helps them have more insects to eat for this time of the year it also causes them to think about mating and producing a new family.
Bad idea. If they do that, the cold weather will finally arrive and kill the eggs.
Confusing for sure.
Now, let’s also not forget as we prepare for the winter to come, that we can do a few things to help our friends out.
Extra seeds, mealworms, water, and shelter like old limbs and falling leaves are some things that we can provide.
And of course, leaving some land natural, as it was originally, is what they need.
I have included some photos I just took this week showing some of the chrysalis on our front porch. I see them daily emerging into beautiful butterflies.
Remember the wildlife every day. Nature gives us her best every day.
You become what you believe.
And remember who you are gardening for.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 