Ten years ago today I was preparing to get ready to leave my New Zealand life for my annual 6 months in Scotland. Before that, though, I had a visit to make to Pauline in Northland. We stayed with a friend of hers near Warkworth. I had posted about Monarch Butterflies on my New Zealand blog many times but what I saw on that visit was special. In these trying times the beauty of nature looms large in my thoughts.
We don't get many of these round here. Pity they are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are pretty spectacular. Gorgeous colours. Nture is pretty special isn't it?
ReplyDelete...or Nature, even....
DeleteBeautiful photos. Beauty in nature is always amazing and spirit lifting.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I've not yet seen any other butterflies here this year than the white cabbage one, but I am sure others will follow once their feed plants are out.
ReplyDeleteThe chrysalises are amazing and how cleverly they have been secured to the host plant. The colour is also a clever disguise.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have the Monarch butterfly here, I think. I did see a few butterflies of some kind on the first warm sunny days of spring here though (probably small tortoiseshell). Alas, now the weather has turned colder again. I hope they either had time to do what they came out for, or else went back into hibernation for a while longer...
ReplyDeleteI saw a Monarch butterfly flutter-by just yesterday :)
ReplyDeleteI remember being so jealous of those photos, Graham. You took them in Chris' garden. She always asks after you, as does Lisa (who we stayed with in Warkworth). It's been years since I've seen caterpillars or monarch butterflies in the numbers there used to be. Another reason why I destroy wasps nests at any opportunity. Go well.
ReplyDeleteI did indeed, Pauline, I had a field day in the garden whilst you were chatting. When I was looking at the post on my New Zealand blog I was wondering how Lisa was because I know you don't see her very often. I think wasps are the one insect I detest above all others.
DeleteWe are in Whangarei and my husband has a "cage" that he keeps the Monarch caterpillars in (to save them from wasps and praying mantis) and then releases the butterflies. At present he has about 50 caterpillars. Needless to say we have lots of Monarch's around our garden.
ReplyDeleteSusan Heather, that's very good to hear. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteHaven't seen many of those around here lately, normally we get them into early Autumn but mind you no one really has been outdoors for the last month or so to find out.
ReplyDeleteOh.... how lovely!! Golly. That is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments. Stay safe.
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