Bon Voyage, Monarch!

This has been the summer of butterflies!  Everyone has remarked on how many there have been!   Some have attributed increased numbers to the long, snowy winter.  Others have remarked that the increased survival has been because of spring rains. Does anyone know?  Perhaps you've heard others talking and can share knowledge.  Please do comment if you have a theory! 

There seems to have been not only higher numbers, but also more varieties. 

Now, on the threshhold of September and fall, the Monarch begins it southward migration to Mexico.  We've seen them already, winging their way through our yard out here JOTOLR on the verge of embarking on their thousand-mile flight to the place in Mexico they call home.  I've always been amazed at the incredible journey this small insect makes.  It brings tears to my eyes as I contemplate the vast distance they travel on their migratory path to perpetuate the species.  So fragile, yet so strong!  So beautiful!  Their numbers in Mexico blur the mind!  I hope our place, JOTOLR contributed some to an increase in their population over this past growing season.

If you'd like to help track the Monarch and learn more about them, as well as get weekly updates on their migration, go to Tracking the Monarch Butterflies  The news is updated each Thursday, so today's the day!  Check it out!

And here's a small retrospect of other butterfly views I've enjoyed this past summer: