Monarchs in particular touch my heart deeply. The truth that they carry four generations of memory of where to land for food while flying north is astonishing to me, such a powerful lineage.
I read an article (which is often disputed) about a monarch flying across the Atlantic Ocean. 💞
That's such a great way to put it, carrying four generations of memory. 💕
That's fascinating! I'm sure it is quite disputed - people can be quick to be skeptical. Still, seems that if someone reported seeing it, there's a good chance they knew what they were looking at...Can you imagine? They've got the range for it, but goodness that would be one hungry journey!
Beautiful post and images Sydney. I like that video clip with the group of monarchs! For me, the migration of Monarch Butterflies is one of Nature's greatest journeys. Relative to their size and what they face on their flights is simply astounding. I am so looking forward to their return here in Ottawa Canada in a few months. :)
Monarchs are magical, aren't they? Incredibly, I live quite close to a monarch overwintering site on the central coast of California and have had the privilege to witness this breathtaking sight many times. Your description of the butterflies as "rustling, rippling, shimmering collections of amber stained-glass chandeliers, gracing the canopies of these woodland cathedrals" is divine, and nothing short of the truth.
How wonderful! I forgot that you west-coasters have Monarchs that stay local, so lucky! That must be so amazing - I'm glad my imagery was fitting, though of course words fall short!
I agree, Jane 😢 Thank you for describing it as a fierce effort - I hadn't thought of it in those terms but it rings very true. Deeply human to be able to hold both, and probably important for us to experience, though hard...
That's so awesome! We are not at that level - we are just trying to get a healthy stand of milkweed going (which is being a bit stubborn with us for some reason!) so they can make themselves more at home :)
A flutter of monarchs, I love it and will use it, should that occur. Sad to say, in the 15 years or so, monarchs are a rare sight. I see only a few during the whole summer up here in Toronto.
Oh god, what a gut-punch of a statistic. So heartbreaking. I've never seen a monarch IRL, thanks for the gorgeous photos and words. Yes, a "flutter" is a much better word!
I absolutely love monarch butterflies but I had no idea about their short life span and the cool migration strategy over generations! So glad to have run into your newsletter here! Thanks for sharing and writing so beautifully 😌 here in India we always find the monarch in pairs
Monarchs in particular touch my heart deeply. The truth that they carry four generations of memory of where to land for food while flying north is astonishing to me, such a powerful lineage.
I read an article (which is often disputed) about a monarch flying across the Atlantic Ocean. 💞
That's such a great way to put it, carrying four generations of memory. 💕
That's fascinating! I'm sure it is quite disputed - people can be quick to be skeptical. Still, seems that if someone reported seeing it, there's a good chance they knew what they were looking at...Can you imagine? They've got the range for it, but goodness that would be one hungry journey!
Beautiful post and images Sydney. I like that video clip with the group of monarchs! For me, the migration of Monarch Butterflies is one of Nature's greatest journeys. Relative to their size and what they face on their flights is simply astounding. I am so looking forward to their return here in Ottawa Canada in a few months. :)
Thank you, Neil! Same here, I hope we'll see them once again! I keep planting milkweed to make them feel more at home 🤣
Monarchs are magical, aren't they? Incredibly, I live quite close to a monarch overwintering site on the central coast of California and have had the privilege to witness this breathtaking sight many times. Your description of the butterflies as "rustling, rippling, shimmering collections of amber stained-glass chandeliers, gracing the canopies of these woodland cathedrals" is divine, and nothing short of the truth.
How wonderful! I forgot that you west-coasters have Monarchs that stay local, so lucky! That must be so amazing - I'm glad my imagery was fitting, though of course words fall short!
So beautiful! Thanks so much. 🤗😘
Thanks, Beth, so happy to share with you! 💕
My heart breaks to read these statistics. It takes a fierce effort to dedicate yourself to enchantment in the face of it all sometimes.
And I agree- a fluttering of butterflies is much more befitting of their magnificence 🦋
I agree, Jane 😢 Thank you for describing it as a fierce effort - I hadn't thought of it in those terms but it rings very true. Deeply human to be able to hold both, and probably important for us to experience, though hard...
Thanks for commenting!💕
"generational relay event" — nice way to bring it home.
We harvest eggs and hatch them every summer to help them survive. Their decline is so heart wrenching.
That's so awesome! We are not at that level - we are just trying to get a healthy stand of milkweed going (which is being a bit stubborn with us for some reason!) so they can make themselves more at home :)
A flutter of monarchs, I love it and will use it, should that occur. Sad to say, in the 15 years or so, monarchs are a rare sight. I see only a few during the whole summer up here in Toronto.
Thanks, Perry! We see very few here as well, and treasure each one :)
Oh god, what a gut-punch of a statistic. So heartbreaking. I've never seen a monarch IRL, thanks for the gorgeous photos and words. Yes, a "flutter" is a much better word!
Gut-punch is a good word for it :( So glad I got to share these with you!
I absolutely love monarch butterflies but I had no idea about their short life span and the cool migration strategy over generations! So glad to have run into your newsletter here! Thanks for sharing and writing so beautifully 😌 here in India we always find the monarch in pairs
Thanks, Mohika, so glad to have shared this with you! How beautiful, I'm so touched by the thought of seeing them in pairs!