guest photos by Rachel Carpenter: a Monarch Butterfly emerges

post #249
          A brief break from farm animals, equality in the USA, and hay bales to check on something fascinating that happens annually to keep our world working for all of us. My friend Rachel, who lives in central Indiana, hatches out Monarch Butterflies every year; I have had her photos on this blog before.  
          This year she spend ten minutes watching a Monarch pupate into a butterfly, and she sent me 9 photos she made during that time.  I am sure such photos are available somewhere on the web, but I prefer these, which provide a personal connection to an ordinary miracle, if there can be such a thing.     
          Rachel wrote: "There are a ton of monarchs around here this year, and I have raised quite a few.  I got some pictures of one "pupating" that I thought you might like."  She also recommends "a neat website about Monarch migration:  https://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/".

       I decided to embed the 9 photos via one of my Zenfolio Galleries, in hopes of keeping the photos as sharp as possible -- as well as to cut down on my (growing) frustration to get it all to look as good as possible.  I hope this system works out for every visitor to this site - thank you for giving it a try.  Click on the far right box-with-arrow to get the slide show, and then at the end click ESCape to get things back to regular size.
       And thanks, Rachel, for the Monarch support work you do!

a monarch butterfly pupating:

rainbows, monarch follow-up, color and stories

post #213
        Two weeks ago, a lovely brief rainbow happened in our county.  I saw it by chance, from our house which is in a hollow (Appalachian speak for the space that's between two hills.)  I just had time to take a few quick snapshots.  Soon after that, I drove to the local fire department fish fry fundraising auction, and, again by chance, had a great conversation with Cynthia McAuley.  She grew up here but lives now with her family in Lexington.  She asked me if I had seen the rainbow!  It turns out she had taken a great photo of it on her cell phone.  So, here are two photos of the same rainbow (sort of) AND another guest artist on my blog!  Thank you, Cynthia, for coming over to talk with me and for being willing to share your amazing photo.  (Notice the double rainbow visible in Cynthia's image.)

from where I was

from where Cynthia was

       Speaking of color, while spending some time last week sitting out in the chill trying to sell my art wares, I met Rosemary Fannin.  She made this log cabin design quilt. We had tables near each other, and I really enjoyed getting to know her. I love the colors she uses.  She made the second quilt using a totally different color scheme.  I can't do what she does, but I sure can appreciate the hard work required. Persistence is a good trait for us artists to cultivate!

just a corner of another of her quilts

These colors are more the tool I need as a photographer. I love Sharpies.  I use them to sign books or write info on the back of photos I give to, say, someone who let me take his or her photo.  This photo was taken in the University of Kentucky Art Store, where I buy most of the paper I use for my photo note cards.  I couldn't resist making this photo.  All those Sharpies!  All that color!!

      

      Now to touch on last week's post about Monarch butterflies.  I had a lot of viewers!  Thank you all for sharing my enthusiasm.  I just heard that two young grandchildren I love, ages 5 and 3, were totally taken by the ten minute video where the Monarch caterpillar disappears into its own hanging green bag.  
     Also, I asked Rachel how she managed to get a sticker label onto the monarch's wing.  She sent me the instructions from MONARCHWATCH.org    I highly recommend this site for those interested in knowing more about these treasured creatures.  Here is a quote from the site that explains clearly about the monarch migration patterns: 

       In all the world, no butterflies migrate like the Monarchs of North America. They travel much farther than all other tropical butterflies, up to three thousand miles. They are the only butterflies to make such a long, two way migration every year. Amazingly, they fly in masses to the same winter roosts, often to the exact same trees. Their migration is more the type we expect from birds or whales. However, unlike birds and whales, individuals only make the round-trip once. It is their children's grandchildren that return south the following fall.
      
      I am spending this weekend working on my note cards (more on why next week), so I want to include one more photo.  It shows how I have temporarily taken over the kitchen counter as I inventory how many copies I have of some of the prints I use to assemble my cards.  I don't have time to make a totally professional shot, but at least this gives a flavor of some of my work. I have posted many of them on this blog over the past four years.
       I feel as if these images are my friends. They each have a story.  Actually, we all have stories and tell them in many ways, gifts we can give each other throughout our lives.

Guest photographers, milkweed and monarchs!

post #212

       I am so looking forward to sharing these photos today. The first group is from Rachel Carpenter who has a Monarch Station at her home in Indiana.  The second batch is from Lucy Pryor, now living in northeast Kentucky, like I do.  We have each known the other two for a long time, and our stories definitely overlap. Even so, I had no idea about Rachel's work until a week ago, when Lucy forwarded me these photos by email.  Rachel wrote "I collect caterpillars and raise them on milkweed and then once the butterflies hatch I tag them with tags I get from Monarch Watch."

        Esssentially, the story goes from left photo to right photo. After the additional written-down information Rachel sent just this morning, to help explain what it is she does, the other larger photos follow  --

 

from Rachel: The way I do this is that I check the milkweed on our property for caterpillars, or sometimes I even get eggs.  Then I collect them and put them in a wooden box that Johno [R's husband] made.  The front and back are screen and the front is a door.  Then I basically make a "bouquet" of milkweed leaves.  I just use a yogurt carton with water in it.  I change out the leaves every few days for fresh ones.  We have a lot of milkweed in our yard, so that is easy to do.  Then when the caterpillars are satisfied, they climb off the milkweed.  If they weren't in captivity they would crawl away, but since they can't leave they just climb to the top of the box.  They get into that "J" shape, hang there for around 24 hours, then they change into the chrysalis.  Here is a great ten minute video that I found on youtube that shows the transformation:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4WYor6UMtU  I have gotten to see that happen a few times.  Then the rest of the photos are just of the chrysalis over the 3 weeks or so that it is a chrysalis.  It gradually darkens and you can begin to see the butterfly developing.  By the time it is ready to emerge the chrysalis is completely clear.

      Thank you, Rachel!!  Here are some of her other photos:

drying off?

Rachel has labeled this monarch for Monarch Watch monitoring.

      In earlier blog posts I have mentioned the work of photographer Betty Hall, in Lexington, KY.  She has a blog (here) that also shows her Monarch Station and her backyard butterfly garden.  She has been interested in the welfare of these beautiful creatures for many, many years.  And her photos are amazing. (note: she sells notecards at Good Foods Coop, in Lexington, KY.)
       My last offering for today are some monarch photos taken with great care and patience by photographer Lucy Pryor.  Thank you, Rachel and Lucy, for being guests here today.  And thank you everyone who has been working so creatively to preserve monarchs in our changing world we are each called to care for. 

 

milkweed tell-all, part 4 of 5, still surprises for me

post #182
     More milkweeds, as 2013 progressed.  I guess I should simply say The year progressed and I obsessed...  Actually, the plants just continue to be interesting. I did most of my checking this fall at Location #3, along route 504.  However this first photo was made this week just to show where the three milkweed stalks were, on the left, along the fence.  The pull-off area for my car is on the right:

October 2, 2013 -- The seed pods are beginning to open up.

a seed pod split open, showing the hanging bunch of seeds still inside

another surprise visitor!  A grasshopper, on the move. I feel lucky to have not missed this shot!  The seeds are starting to be blown about, each one with a kind of parachute.

The grasshopper here is not as sharp, but the seeds and their carry-me-in-the-wind fuzz show up well in the midday sun.

Surely these milkweed bugs are way too numerous and are doing harm.

overview, the next day, of the milkweed stalks in location #3

a week later

nearby hay field, October 19, 2013

The seeds seem stuck together by wet weather as they hang out of the split-open pod.

Some seeds manage to "dry out and fly right".  

      I attended an excellent presentation this week about setting up Monarch Way Stations.  These give the Monarchs a place to lay eggs as they travel north from Mexico.  These gardens should have a combination of nectar bearing plants (in large enough groups for the butterflies to see) and milkweeds since the Monarch will only lay eggs on the leaves of milkweed. We saw a photo by Betty Hall of a Monarch butterfly in the process of laying eggs!  Tiny white balls.  I will hope to see some this spring.

        I was able to ask our speaker, Linda Porter, about the role of milkweed bugs, and of spiders, and about the toxicity of the white fluid within the milkweed stems.  Mostly what is needed for these beautiful butterflies is places to lay their eggs, as they move north.  And, of course, what they and all other plants and animals also need is for us human beings to be using our brain power to come to terms with how the climate change we are causing impacts all life forms on this best-hope-for-us planet. 

February round-up -- monarch butterflies, local art show and roof ice sculptures

post #178
      I have had too many bits to keep up with myself this month, so today's post has three that have been waiting in the wings.  The first is a New York Times article about the monarch butterfly way stations.  Click HERE.  Actually, this bit is all about wings....  I am definitely going to be doing more milkweed preserving in the years to come.

       The next bit is from a local art show at the Rowan County Art Center (formerly the county courthouse.)  The Cave Run Arts Association had the exhibit space this month (February), and all members could enter three pieces, 15 artists in all.  These next photos were made during the opening reception.  It is very possible that the exhibit will be coming down soon, so I apologize for not getting this information out sooner!  

The largest painting in this photo is by my husband, Frank.

this day, one of the three photos by me

      The Arts Center has several studios, and they were all open during the reception.  These walls show the amazing watercolor work by Linda Brewer.  Linda teaches a weekly class in here, thus the work tables and chairs.  She shares the office with photographer and mixed media artist Priscilla Gotsick.  
                                                             *   *   *   *   *   *   *
      Even though today there is no snow on our ground, it has been quite the month for the white stuff.  I made several photos of this shed -- it shows what can happen with the right combination of snow, of melt and of overhang....

going, going  --  but not yet gone!

       I am finishing today with one photo from 5 days spent with grandchildren this past week.  Oh, the satisfaction of placing those last two pieces of a puzzle!  Well done, kiddo!

 

Updates: monarch butterfly stations, the local Arts Fair, and frogs changing colors!

post #167
        I had a lot of fun yesterday at the MSU Arts and Crafts Fair, even though I worked hard all day long and didn't make any more money than the usual.  It really keeps me going to have so many repeat visitors with their stories of where an image of mine might be hanging or how they can't bear to part with a favorite card.  Of course, I'd also like them to be out of cards and buying more.  Yet somehow I can't get too worked up about that particular conundrum since I know it is kindly meant and not really a problem at all.
        The following photo from yesterday is thanks to Jennifer Reis, made just before the doors opened at 9 a.m.  I like to think I was hamming it up for some good reason, but probably I was just simply hamming it up...  Her photo just shows my section of our doublewide.  I never had a chance after that to get a good photo of our entire set-up!  I guess that was a  good problem to have had. 
         

 
      Actually, Jennifer also made a photo for her facebook page that shows her side of things....  She is an amazing fabric artist who also makes jewelry, knits winter head bands, and much more.  I'm regularly thankful she is smart and funny as well!  Here is a hint of the some of her items for sale:
       

  
         I have wanted to share my photographer friend Betty Hall's information connected to  her passion for saving the monarch butterfly.  This is the link to her RESOURCES PAGE on her blog. She especially recommends a recent article about monarch stations, here.  Bravo, Betty, for all you do and share with others, and for the beauty of your garden of native plants.
        I am still in thrall with my few milkweed plants even while they look dead and dry.  I suspect the real action going on is the work of the new seeds, currently covered by snow and ice.  I will continue to follow them for months to come. 
        I did find out from a science teacher who came by yesterday that the simple reason the frog on the milkweed pod is green on top is because he has turned the color of where he is situated.  I should have known that many other creatures besides chameleons use that strategy to protect themselves, but I did not.  I am glad someone I asked could finally tell me.  Whew.  Here is the photo again:

       I can tell I am currently a bit wore out, as they say around here, so I am going to save the printing discussion until next week.  It is an important topic for photographers to think about!  Right now I am going to publish this blog for today, grateful to have the needed electricity to do that despite the chilly, soggy, ice-producing weather.  Warm(!) good wishes to everyone,  Ann

more milkweed words, and a boating outing last night

post #159

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/opinion/sunday/monarchs-fight-for-their-lives.html

      I have always known about the connection between monarch butterflies and milkweed. I have referred to it during my three earlier posts about the plant but I haven't focused on it.  However, today, on line in the New York Times, I read this piece which is very succinct, very clear, very distressing.  So I begin today's post with the link to it.  Actually, this editorial is short enough for me to put it into the blog itself.  Right here:

Editorial | Notebook

Monarchs Fight for Their Lives

By VERLYN KLINKENBORG

Published: October 12, 2013

       The more you know about monarch butterflies, the more extraordinary they seem. Their life cycle — the adaptive web of behaviors they have evolved — is almost unbelievably complex. They migrate en masse (this month, as a rule) from all across the Midwest and Northeast to just a few high altitude sites in Mexico, where they winter, sheltering in profusion beneath a canopy of fir trees, from whose trunks they draw the residual heat they need to stay alive. Winter past, they migrate thousands of miles northward, where they lay their eggs on milkweed plants, the only plant a monarch caterpillar can eat.

       The complexity of their life cycle is mirrored by the complexity of the threats they face. For the past 15 years, scientists have been watching monarch numbers plummet, as much as 81 percent between 1999 and 2010. They reached nearly catastrophic lows in the winter of 2009-2010 and have barely recovered since.

         One recent study suggests that the long-term survival of the species may be in doubt. A few weeks ago, one of the scientists devoted to studying monarchs, Ernest Williams at Hamilton College, summarized for me the threats that have been reported in recent studies.

        Nearly every link in the monarchs’ chain of being, he said, is at risk. Illegal logging in Mexico has reduced their winter habitat — an already vanishingly small area, which is itself being altered by the warming climate. Ecotourists who come to witness the congregation of so many butterflies disturb the creatures they have come to see. But perhaps most damaging is the demise of milkweed.

Monarchs have the misfortune to rely exclusively on a plant that farmers all across the Midwest and Northeast consider a weed. There is a direct parallel between the demise of milkweeds — killed by the herbicide glyphosate, which is sprayed by the millions of gallons on fields where genetically modified crops are growing — and the steady drop in monarch numbers.

         To anyone who has grown up in the Midwest, the result seems very strange. After decades of trying to eradicate milkweed, gardeners are being encouraged to plant it in their gardens, and townships and counties are being asked to let it thrive in the roadside ditches. What looks like agricultural success, purging bean and corn fields of milkweed (among other weeds), turns out to be butterfly disaster. This is the great puzzle of species conservation — it has to be effective at nearly every stage of a species’ life cycle. And this, too, is the dilemma of human behavior. We live in a world of unintended consequences of our own making, which can never be easily undone.[Italics are mine.]

              I have not been following the milkweeds this summer and fall because of the monarchs.  It has been purely because of the book George Ella Lyon and I are still working on.  It has turned out, however, to be a great big discovery adventure.  And what a bonus if my curiousity and art also help create awareness for how each plant, each creature, and each of us is part of a whole world.  

              My plan today had been to share some of the photos from yesterday's peaceful two hours on nearby Grayson Lake in our Jon boat, with its flat bottom and a fairly quiet trolling motor.  Even though it was a Saturday late afternoon and good weather, we were practically by ourselves the whole time.  The overcast sky made for better light for most of my photos.  My husband ran the ship -- slowing down from our 3 m.p.h. speed at every request.  Thanks! Even so, most photos were taken from a moving boat. (I didn't say speeding. Just moving!)  The lake is a Corps of Engineers build; it highlights the sandstone cliffs that are everywhere around this region.  

 

starting out

first big rock, a corner cliff, so to speak

A later cliffside, looking to me like an enormous creature emerging from the steep bank....

Last time, an anhinga was perched on this high tree, and I looked for it again.

Yellow jackets are no longer at home.  This is called "giving the vacant look."

Are these some kind of natural highrise apartments?

probably my favorite photo from yesterday

       There are way too many photos for one post, so I will continue this trip next Sunday.  The next wave, so to speak.  I leave you with two last photos and two thoughts:

There is always something around the bend.

AND

Weeds are wonderful.