A right Royal Occasion

 We have been seeing plenty of our lovely tiger swallowtail butterflies this spring...




But today was the show stopper.  Today was the day in the back field when I was jumping up and down in glee...


Today was the first day we've spotted a monarch butterfly this year.   This fabulous, fantastic species took an enormous 'hit' last year, with population plunging by an estimated 80%...  There is grave concern that the butterflies won't be able to recover from such losses.   Last summer, we didn't see our first monarch -- and that one was pretty tattered and tired -- until August, so it was awesome to see this one out today.  We hope the monarchs have a bumper year, this summer, and for many many summers to come.  The world would be so much the poorer if we lose this species because we've destroyed their habitat and poured pesticides and herbicides on mono-culture crops.  

Today was the last day we'll be able to mow any of the milkweed in the back field -- that is the monarch's critical food supply, so we'll be letting it be.  If you have any in your gardens, please, at least for this year, just leave it there and enjoy it for its own beauty.