I've actually seen a few Monarch butterflies this year. None while the milk weed was blooming though, which I'm curious about. Or maybe I just don't understand what life stage I should be looking for then. Mostly I've seen them just passing through, but this one stopped to re-fuel in the dwindling zinnia bed and I luckily had my camera handy. Welcome tiny traveler :-).
I've had several inquiries about the storms yesterday. These pictures were taken after the small tornado and before the thunderstorm that hit later. I have no idea how a butterfly survives a strong wind. Maybe she holes up in the basement of a tree or something :-).
I got a warning on my phone so I started watching the sky. All seemed calm. Just about the exact time they said it would hit, I saw it starting to form over the field across the road. I gathered Weaslie and Betsy and headed to the basement. It was over us in an instant, heading on to the neighbors.
As far as I know there was just a fair amount of tree damage, but nothing else. We lost a section of fence on the road (of course ;-) and one of our trees blew across Stella's driveway. Saints John and Auntie Reg came over and had us all back up and running in no time. And then we ate blueberry pancakes :-).
I think any day you can end by saying "No one got hurt and we got to eat pancakes for dinner!" goes in the win column :-).
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By the way, if you haven't read Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behavior, I highly recommend it. You'll be even more amazed when you see a Monarch butterfly. Seems like if we can figure out a way to send storm warnings on cell phones...
16 comments:
Ha! I can see a bunch of monarchs heading for the closest basement. What amazing creatures. Glad you still had some zinnia juice available, and glad everyone is okay and full of pancakes.
Scary stuff! I think this could be a whole chapter for that book you're going to write about Hank and the flock. (nudge, nudge) And include the pancakes for supper! So glad you are all OK there.
I am so unaware of most news; guess it's a good thing I at least read blogs! I'm so glad you're okay! Horses and sheep, too, I assume....
They need the milk weed for the flowers but mostly it is used to lay their eggs as this is almost the only plant they will eat the leaves.
Whoa - a tornado went over your head? Scary.
I've been wondering about the milkweed as well. I haven't seen any monarchs at all.
Good to hear you are ok, and all the animals too. Hard to fit that many critters in a basement.
Love the butterfly!!!! We don't see monarchs that much here.
I'm glad you didn't blow away. I was thinking about you!
Yikes! Glad you are all okay.
I think the Monarch brought you luck!! Glad you're safe and it was a non-weather event!
Love the bokeh and jewel tones in the photos.
Yes- very glad the damage was kept to a minimum and all you and your creatures are unscathed.
I was wondering re your area with That weather. Glad you are fast on your feet(s) and pancakes? for supper?
The best as are those 'flutter-bys'.
Gorgeous on the flowers. Thanks.
Yes I heard on the news..but I was sleeping..and now it registers that I thought of you when I heard about a tornado in Paris KY on the news. Sometimes it is okay to sleep through the morning news!
Glad you are okay!
When I get little black specks on my Milkweed I know the Monarchs have laid their eggs. Then I watch for leaves to disappear as the larvae eat them...sometimes that happens before the blooms at least in MN.
Your photos are lovely...I hope we see Monarchs numbers increase:)
Your photos are beautiful. Thanks for the reading tip. I will look for it. I would love to learn more about them. Glad you are safe.
Just ordered a used copy from
Amazon. : )
Great captures once again! Pancakes are just the best comfort food to add warmth and sweetness to a scary day
Oh what a day, Sara! So glad all of you are okay. Bet those blueberry pancakes were extra good! It's always the little things - butterflies, pancakes... :-)
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