Monarch Heroics

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Posted in Eatonton, GA, Flowers Loved by Butterflies, Monarch

Monarch butterfly (female) on Tithonia, photographed by Jeff Zablow at "Butterflies and Blooms in the Briar Patch," Eatonton, GA

Me? I try as hard as I can to not buy ‘Made in China.’ That for so many reasons. It’s been tough for those of us who make this extra effort, but mostly it pays off. Made in USA sings to me, as I can find it. Our Monarch butterflies so evoke that for me. Danaus plexippus flies from coast to coast, north to south. Seeing a Monarch titillates all, ages 1 to 110. This one is on Tithonia (Mexican sunflower) in the Butterflies & Blooms Habitat in Eatonon, Georgia.

A very beautiful butterfly, waves of burnt orange, spots of a type of yellow, white, bands trailing the wing margins of black black, spiffy black wing lines, the stark sizable white spots on head and thorax, all eye-candy in a fresh Monarch.

Americans are also blessed, with the still phenomenal saga of Monarchs flying from Maine to Mexico, Eatonton to Mexico, Frewsburg to Mexico, Shellman Bluff to Mexico . . . and once winter slips away, from Mexico to Maine, Eatonton, Fresburg and Shellman Bluff. Oh, and from Washington State to California and from . . . .

Now, this image triggered my thinking to that word ‘Heroics.’ Would you look at those right wings? Thousands of tiny scales lost, holes in the wing, scratches. She has seen, experienced and survived. Her color remains sugary sweet, and her head, well, she is a real looker! American women & American Monarchs, the finest. The most heroic.

Jeff

5 thoughts on “Monarch Heroics”

    • Thank you usathroughoureyes. When I drive the 690+ miles to the Habitat, pictured here, I often think of that ‘astonish’ing journey. Monarchs come to my mind at times, when the urge to quit, begins to . . . .

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  2. perfect way to break up the winter of deciding which plants to install in the habitat in 2017, this stormy Georgia morning, to stop by your blog and find an image of such beauty and grace.
    while literally thousands of seeds from many nectar plants blooming in 2016 and collected from the habitat are safely stored to set out this spring…your reminder of the reality of the struggle each butterfly endures to keep flying and to reproduce, keeps that list growing, no need for these winged wonders to search for miles to find the nectar and larval host plants needed to survive, all found right in the habitat. reduces our need to explore, which is part of the magic of finding them….the joy of your captures, captures the rest of us!

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    • Thank you again, judgeva. It is an absolute joy to read your Comment. To be understood, and even appreciated, is so very special. That Habitat, borne on your very own shoulders, stands, almost, alone, from coast to coast. Those children that visit, are so fortunate, and . . . they realize they are in a very . . . special place. A place very close to real meaning.

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  3. A lovely image. I appreciate that you are posting a “less than perfect” butterfly – because, as you indicate in your text, her imperfection is part of her perfection.

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