March 27, 2013

Wordless monarch greetings from Sarasota, Fla.

monarch
Captured at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


(Click here if the video doesn't open on your screen.)

37 comments:

  1. Cudowne zdjecie z motylem. Filmu nie mogę zobaczyć, bo jest napis: "Przesyłający nie udostępnił tego filmu w Twoim kraju". Pozdrawiam.
    Wonderful photo of a butterfly. I can not see the film because it is the inscription: "The uploader has not made this video in your country." Yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Giga! I was so thrilled to see many Monarchs floating around in the Botanical Garden's butterfly garden. I had to be careful where I walked! Sorry about the video. I've added a link below that takes you directly to YouTube to see it. Or you can click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVm5k99PnBk Happy Spring!

      Delete
  2. The video was so cool, especially seeing the fast-motion image of the chrysalis being formed. Hope you are still soaking up some warm Florida sun--we're covered in snow here. Can't wait to see the Monarchs emerge in our gardens again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know--I'm getting so excited for the return of all the migrating creatures: butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds, etc.! The robins are active lately, so that's a hopeful sign. And my Daffodils are ready to burst under the leaves and snow. Just a few warm days and they'll be blooming all over the place! I'm back home after spending a lovely time in Florida last week--perfect time to get away!

      Delete
  3. I didn't see the video, but the pictures are great. I made a butterfly garden totem so the butterflies will have a place to drink. I can't wait to put it out and see if they use it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christy: I added a link to YouTube if it wasn't working on your screen. I'll look forward to posts about your butterfly garden totem! I'm planning to plant Milkweed in my flower garden this year. :)

      Delete
  4. So lovely, and wonderful to believe that somewhere out there it is warm and springlike.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it was definitely warm in Florida last week, although my parents were complaining that it was colder and rainier than it had been all winter! Weird. But we northerners sure enjoyed our stay. And now we have all of spring and summer to look forward to! Cheers!

      Delete
  5. Very pretty, especially since monarchs are a bit rare this year. We haven't seen any in our yard and have heard the numbers are down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I'm bummed about the decline. I hope the numbers will increase this year. If more people plant Milkweed in their gardens, maybe that will help. I'm totally rearranging my Potager, and will include Milkweed plants.

      Delete
  6. I love the photo! It sounds like you are having a good time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue. We had a great time. I got my plant fix, which should hold me until spring hits here ... if it happens soon!

      Delete
  7. How wonderful to get out of winter wonderland and enjoy some warmth. Looks like you left at the right time. We have had frost warnings all week. Our winter was warmer than spring has been so far. Like you, I am excited for the return of the butterflies too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it was perfect! And we picked the perfect week to get out of the Midwest. Now all of spring and summer to look forward to!

      Delete
  8. Thanks, Loredana. I'm glad you enjoyed them. I sure enjoyed seeing so many Monarchs at the Botanical Garden.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely photo from the Botanical Gardens Beth, but the YouTube video doesn't work for us in Europe, the National Geographic has put some sort of restriction on it so we can't see it. Shame, never seen that on YouTube before. It just says: “The uploader has not made this video available in your country. Sorry about that.”
    Never mind, I am sure it was a lovely video :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, darn that is frustrating. Sorry about that, Helene! Yes, it's a fun video of a Monarch--from egg to caterpillar to butterfly, set to music. Weird that they wouldn't allow it to be seen in Europe. Oh well, another lesson learned, I guess. :)

      Delete
  10. Beth this must have lifted your spirits...how wonderful...I know it lifted mine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it did. After hearing about how the Monarch numbers are way down, it was thrilling to see so many of them in one place. I hope the trend turns around and that Monarchs make a comeback. It would be truly sad to lose these beauties!

      Delete
  11. Beth, so happy you are having perfect time in FL!!! beautiful shot. Enjoy the warm weather!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lula! Back home this week. But we did have a wonderful vacation last week! It's always liberating to go from cold, gloves, coats and shivering, to warmth, short sleeves, and sunshine! Coming back was hard, but now we have all of spring and summer to look forward to!

      Delete
  12. A pretty and colorful photo, Beth. Florida would be a great place to be right about now. The warm sunshine would be delightful. I would be enjoying it as much as that Monarch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Donna. We had a wonderful week there, but believe it or not, I was glad to get back to the Midwest. And now we have all of spring and summer to enjoy! Cheers!

      Delete
  13. Lovely! I have heard that the monarch butterflies numbers were WAY down this year in Mexico where a lot of them stay for the winter. So, I am hoping to see a few myself this year. Looks nice and warm in Florida!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's very sad. It was encouraging to see so many Monarchs at the botanical garden's butterfly garden! It shows how helpful and important Milkweed is in encouraging the increase of Monarch populations. I'm planning to plant Milkweed to feed Monarchs, and maybe some Pentas to attract them, too. ;-)

      Delete
  14. Great post and great video! So jealous that you are down in Florida.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I was partially inspired by your recent post about Monarchs. Now I'm carefully planning what Milkweed variety to plant. I don't have much sun in my garden, so I have to be strategic about adding new plants. We're back from Florida now--it was very pleasant. ;-)

      Delete
  15. I loved the video! It reminded me of one of my children's favorite books when they were small: The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that was a favorite in our house, too! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. :)

      Delete
  16. That was so cool. I have to show it to the rest of the family. Are you going to the fling? Let me know next time you comment on my blog in case I forget to come back and check.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carolyn: I left a comment on your blog about the Fling. I'm thinking it might be too late to sign up?

      Delete
  17. Loved this post... it brought back sweet memories of my own encounters. Click on the Label "Monarch" on my blog to see my own dream come true. A sweet son captured Monarch Caterpillars for me and we documented their journey. There's also a link on my side bar for how to certify your gardens as a Monarch Waystation. If we all do our part, these beautiful little creatures will flourish once again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember reading about your Monarch project, and I really enjoyed it! I saw a few Monarchs last summer, but I'm hoping that by adding Milkweed I'll see more this summer. I don't have a lot of sun, but I will plant a few Milkweed plants. :)

      Delete
  18. Forgot to mention that no matter how many times I see this... it is magical! Don't you just love how awesome nature is? Thank you for sharing this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I enjoyed the video, too. There are so many videos about Monarchs, but this one seemed good for a Wordless Wednesday. :)

      Delete
  19. Very cool video! It's so dramatic. :o) I add more milkweed to my garden every year and have been seeing increased numbers of monarchs as a result. They're one of my favorite butterflies. :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope to add Milkweed this year. I haven't in the past because my garden is primarily shady. But I'm going to switch up the potager garden a bit this year and make a place for Milkweed--probably Purple Milkweed or Swamp Milkweed.

      Delete