Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Just been checking on Fred.

And he's getting big. (If it is Fred ~ and let's pretend it is) 
There are loads of caterpillars now, but this is the largest. He's about 12mm long now and fatter. You can see him chomping away in these pics. I had to follow him round the leaf because he was eating so fast. The butterflies are still coming to lay eggs, so some must make it to chrysalis stage, I hope. The swan plants are still looking remarkably good considering. They were pretty big, though, so I hope they last. I got 2 for this year, next year I think I'll get 4.




13 comments:

  1. So colorful. He sure has gotten big. Great photos as usual.

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  2. They can munch a lot in a short space of time can't they!
    We have 4 good sized swan plants and a couple of straggly ones. I've seen butterflies flitting around but no caterpillars as yet.

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  3. Anonymous3:00 pm

    Beautiful photos!!! He's so colorful and fat. BTW, since you raise animals big and small, I have a question about chickens. How cold can they stand it? Our winter weather here in Oklahoma has dipped very cold the past two nights...8 F, and I'm worried about this stray hen who has lived in our neighborhood bushes since last spring. She gets off into a japon holly and has a nest there. Think she'll be all right? What could she possibly be eating?

    Liz

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  4. you know Liz I really don't know - I only started doing all this when we moved to NZ and it's really warm here even in winter, but I do read a lot of blogs that belong to people who have chickens and see photos of them running around in the snow!
    I suppose if you like having her around you could feed her some scraps, or even get her some corn - or just plain old bird seed - our supermarkets sell that. She'd get into the habit of getting it from you though.

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  5. Fred's looking good. What does a swan plant look like? Cheers

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  6. Laura, no, that's not Fred. Fred's stripes were the reverse :p

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  7. Hey, where did my comment go?

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  8. very cool pics ! I have seen monarch butterflies in my garden, must plant a swan plant or 3.

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  9. Doh! Must be Fred's brother!!

    Judith I'll take a pic of the plant tomorrow to let you see - they are the oddest looking things!

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  10. Wow! I just love his colors. A response to Liz's question about chickens, they are quite tolerant of the cold weather, however, when they are in constant cold (not able to get out of the weather) it will wear them down. If you can feed her carbs - scratch grain, breads, etc. that will help raise her body temperature.
    Hope this helps.
    Staci

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  11. WOw! WHat a Large Fred:)) These are amazing shots.
    Just came over through Everyday Ruralty .....glad I did:)

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  12. Fred is very pretty.. Go Fred.. Munch on..

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  13. We had a Fred, but he's mysteriously disappeared. Must have been lonely with one plant all to himself!

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I love it when you leave me comments, it lets me know there are folk out there reading my ramblings! Thank you, I appreciate them loads and loads
Laura x