The Texas Butterfly Ranch results from a lifelong interest in the outdoors, and a more recent fascination with butterflies and their life cycle.
Monika Maeckle, Texas Butterfly Ranch
Exploring the creek as a kid ranked as my favorite after-school pastime. Digging in the dirt came naturally. And I relished helping my parents tend their radish and tomato garden, an endeavor that sustains me to this day.
Becoming a Master Gardener, managing a weekend ranch for wildlife, and discovering that our stretch of the Llano River lay in the path of the magnificent Monarch migration amplified my butterfly passion. When I realized the pecan trees on our riverbanks of the Llano served as roost to thousands of Monarch butterflies each Fall, I was hooked.
What struck me most was that they had always been there, I just hadn’t noticed. Now, I do. I encourage readers to do the same.
Soon I was raising caterpillars in my yard and kitchen and researching host plants to add to my garden and the ranch.
People often ask: So, where is the Texas Butterfly Ranch?
I like to say it’s a state of mind. In my case, the geographic collective of Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country.
On these pages we hope to educate, inspire and explore the life cycle we all share by focusing on butterflies in all their stages–from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. We’ll also look at host plants, because without them, the life cycle wouldn’t be possible. I wish for each reader that you witness the daily miracle of metamorphosis and the eclosure of a butterfly. You will be irrevocably touched.
Thanks for stopping by. See you outside.
Monika
HI! I need to get in touch with someone ASAP to see if there are still any Monarchs in San Antonio. I am doing a project for the University of Georgia and need to do some harmless testing – they’re looking for information on Monarchs infected with OE. Please contact me if you know where I can locate some Monarchs to sample (they will be released unharmed as soon as I am done). Thank you!
Lisa, I will likely be there tomorrow and let you know what I find. Thanks for stopping by.
Monika
Please call me on my cell at 830-708-2596 when you find out – I’ll be out until after 12:00 pm today and can head that direction if you find some. Thanks!
Monika – I found the Milkweed patch today near the Pearl Brewery . . . Was able to catch 6 Monarchs to sample them for the OE parasite and then release them again where I found them. I also noted 5 big fat caterpillars munching away on the Milkweed
SOOO glad I came across the article about this place! Thanks!
Hi I would like to get in touch with someone who could answer some questions I have about Monarch Butterflies. Please contact me via email asap! Thank You!
What would you like to know?
I know it’s a little late in the game this year but there needs to be a monarch fiesta medal!!! Proceeds could maybe go to milkweed patches???
We’re on it! Stay tuned for the design competition in 2013! Thanks for stopping by, Laura.
MM
Hi! Do you have any advice for raising monarchs in captivity in a greenhouse? I have potted milkweed and nectar plants available, but a wondering if it’s difficult to get the females to lay eggs in an enclosure.
Hi Carol,
Raising Monarchs in a greenhouse can be easy and fun, but there’s also possibilities of disease for the plants and the caterpillars. If you have gravid females on hand, they should lay eggs on milkweed if the temperature and moisture is right. I suggest following Monarch Watch’s Facebook or checking out their rearing Monarchs section on their website at http://www.monarchwatch.org. Good luck!
Monika
hi…i’m also interested in your response to the above question AND i wonder if it’s possible to PURCHASE –for birthday gifting to young butterfly enthusiasts– butterfly cocoons/chrysalises for presents that open themselves?
Hi Terry,
You can definitely purchase Monarchs and other butterflies in all stages–from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis or cocoon. Goto the International Butterfly Breeders’ Association site at http://www.butterflylbreeders.org for a list of reputable breeders. I suggest trying to stay close to home if you can in terms of who you order from. Good luck!
Monika
I am on a Maine island and would like to travel to Texas and/or Morelia to see the Monarchs migration. I went to four sanctuaries last January and was hooked forever. Can you give me any information on how/where/when to go ? Thank you
I am on a Maine island and would like to visit Texas and/or Mexico/Morelia to see the migration. I went to four sanctuaries last January and would like to know how/when they come thru Texas and get to Michoacan, etc. if you please. Thank you
Ellie,
You might try our friend Dr. Bill Calvert’s company, Beyond Backyard Adventures. He and Bonnie do a great job of showing people around the roosting sites. As you mat know, Bill is a Monarch expert and key player in unveiling the roosting sites to the world. Here’s a link: http://www.beyondyourbackyardadventures.com/mexico.shtm.
Otherwise check out this post I wrote on my visit there with my husband Bob in 2011. We flew in and out of Toluca and rented a car. Not advisable if you don’t speak Spanish and are not comfortable navigating Mexican authorities:
http://www.texasbutterflyranch.com/2011/03/10/on-the-monarch-butterfly-trail-in-mexico-explosions-joy-and-hasta-la-vista-en-texas/
Good luck!
Thanks for your speedy reply. Apparently Bill Calvert isn’t doing trips now. I read about him in Sue Halpern’s book. I’ll keep trying.
It can be quite dangerous with the narco violence and lack of justice, thus many operators are not offering tours, given the liability issues. Unfortunate. –MM
Hi Monika! Just wanted to comment that I love your “About” page. Last year, I began the Maryland Master Naturalist program. Like you, I spent so much time outdoors. As I learned more about the natural world, my biggest insight is that: It’s been there all along, I just didn’t notice! Now I do and am immersed in it. I look forward to following your blog and making use of the educational material. Besides volunteering, I now have a part-time naturalist position at a nearby park, and I’ve started a neighborhood nature group.
Good for you, Neita. I would love to be doing that if I could get out of working full-time. Some day. Keep up the good work and thanks for the kind words and checking in.–Monika
I love the Monarchs and learning more about them. My dream is to see them migrating in large numbers and my husband said he would take e somewhere for our anniversary in February. Can you tell me which area would be the best place to go in the U.S. and is February a good time to see spring migration?
I’d like to know the answer to that too, Monika, since apparently no one can tell me when/where to go to see the migration this Fall. I was in Michoacan in the end of January and that was definitely too early and cold.
Thanks
Hi there,
Do you happen to be someone or know of someone who fixes broken butterfly wings? I found a great website in which a guy explains how to do so (but he lives in Boca Raton) and I’m afraid I’ll only make it worse if I try. I found a monarch butterfly who appears as if a cat found him first. I just want to help the poor guy get a second chance at flying.
Thanks!
Hi I have written a wonderful children’s book about a true story my son and I had with a Monarch that we rescued in the US Midwest in Oct. She lived 3 months with us and then we took a very special journey with her. I have presented the book in English and Spanish and it is available on Amazon.com
I would love to partner with an organization that could purchase a quantity to distribute to Mexican children living in the Micheocan region. Many of them do not go to school but there this story could be distributed thru Mexican organizations such as WWF . I have approached them but never get response. Any ideas?? I can email you a small file of the book if you would like to read it and send me your email address.
Thanks Mariosa
Monika, I am a 2nd grade teacher and we study the life cycle of insects and particularly butterflies. We received some caterpillars and are watching the life cyle process in our classrooms. As a celebration of our learning we are having a Butterfly Festival on April 19 at our school. We would like to have an expert come and set up a table and some sort of exhibit and speak to the kids about butterflies. Would you or someone you know be willing to come be part of our butterfly festival?
Thanks,
Jodie Meyer
Hey Monica,
I am new to the butterfly deal here in SA. I have just finished a butterfly hotel near the medical center. I would like to do butterfly, hummingbird and bee raised bed garden construction demonstrations. Who should I get in touch with ?
Thanks ,,,,,, JBBoykin
My husband and I are planning a trip to Austin to visit the Wildflower center. Can you recommend any other butterfly gardens to visit in the Austin area? Thanks!
Patricia, try the Zilker Butterfly Garden. Also, check out the Austin Butterfly Forum. They meet once a month and sometimes organize tours and outings. Have fun!