Monarchs are here!

October 20, 2011

The monarch butterflies are here! They’re everywhere, and they are lovely! They’re not the standard yellow and black ones that I remember as a kid, but rather, a darker orange butterfly with smaller wings. Usually, I see them in pairs, which is a treat in its own right. As there are some great native wildflowers around right now, they are in their element, flitting about, dipping and dancing, full of energy and life.

My neighbor and her granddaughter looked up the Monarch, and found that the ones migrating through here are fourth generation! That the first three went through the whole series of pupae, larvae, etc., but lived only a short time, to finally produce this group that will fly to South America AND BACK within a year! That is some serious genetics!

They’ve been her for a couple of weeks now, with what seemed to be their peak last weekend. They were all over the place, in big numbers - I noticed a lot on the highway, dive bombing my car. I’m guessing those are not some that will be visiting South America.

It’s been a blessed treat to see so many of them, everywhere! Butterfly, in Indian Medicine, represents transformation and beauty. Two things I am glad to be living right now.