The Monarch Butterfly’s Spring Migration

• 

The time is approaching for eastern Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) to return to the U.S. east coast from their wintering grounds in Mexico: a more beautiful visitor is hard to imagine. Though the population of the Monarch has declined significantly in recent years, a decline linked to several changes in the butterfly’s environment, the MB is not yet listed as endangered. Fortunately, several organizations are at work trying to protect the butterflies; RT offers links to a couple of them, Monarch Watch and Monarch Butterfly Fund. As is so often the case, the status of the most vulnerable members of a community is a good indicator of the community’s overall health.   RT

•

Photograph: A Monarch Butterfly on a Purple Coneflower (2007). Author: Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man). WikiCmns; License: GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 only. This image was selected as picture of the day on English Wikipedia, August 27, 2008.

*

 

Bright button charm bracelet

 

*

some color for the season…   RT

(reposted from Atelier Ilyere)

*

Bright button charm bracelet.

Lighthearted…

♦

A certain lighthearted whimsy has overtaken RT since publishing the first four tablets of Gilgamesh this morning. In the spirit of the moment, he offers this drawing…

*

Drawing: Here Comes the Parade (1881); Ida Waugh; WikiCmns; Public Domain.

*

flower

 

*

some color for a Thursday evening…  RT

(reposted from photos #2)

*

flower.

Watercolor Experiment with Pink Outlines

 

 

*

fun stuff for april…  RT

(reposted from The Painter Speaks)

*

Watercolor Experiment with Pink Outlines.

In Progress: Iron Work and Blossoms

*

Washington at its most beguiling…  RT

(reposted from Theresa Bean)

*

In Progress: Iron Work and Blossoms.

Happy Birthday, All You Spring Babies!!

§

well, spring is a traditional time for birthing, and RT knows quite a few people with birthdays during the season. As for the Porsche cake, well, RT has got a hunch it’s delicious…dig in (& happy birthday), everyone!!!   RT

§

Photo: Designer Porsche Cake; Author: Tony Alter (cake made by Couture Cakes of Newport News); WikiCmns; CC 2.0 Generic.

*