Gather your friends and family to learn about the miraculous migration of the Monarch butterflies. The yearly migration can cover up to 2,000 miles and take two months. The PBS show, NOVA, will air a special presentation on Tuesday, January 27th.
The Incredible Journey of the Monarch Butterflies is a documentary by director Nick de Pencier.
The film follows the epic migration of the Monarchs from Canada and the United States to Mexico. Monarch experts share their research findings from studying these fascinating butterflies.
In my garden, a Certified Monarch Waystation, I grow host plants as a food source for the Monarch caterpillars. Throughout my gardens, I also grow nectar plants for the butterflies.
I'd love to add a chrysalis house, like the one in the butterfly garden at the JC Raulston Arboretum (JCRA) in Raleigh. However, a simple setup with everyday materials, such as clean glass jars with ventilated lids, can be used for rearing Monarch larvae.
Many gardeners look for the eggs on the host plant, milkweed. They protect the larvae by placing the milkweed leaves and eggs in a chrysalis house. This helps to ensure that the caterpillars hatch, a chrysalis forms and the butterflies emerge unharmed. The raising, feeding and releasing of butterflies gives you the chance to gently hold them before they fly away on their own.
Kylee, at Our Little Acre, also has a post about this documentary.
If you'd like to certify your garden as a Monarch Waystation or learn more about rearing the butterflies, please refer to the information at Monarch Watch.
Photos and story by Freda Cameron. Refer to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) show schedule for your area. NOVA airs at 8:00pm in the UNC-TV viewing area.
I know that house! I maintain the butterfly garden at the JCRA with 3 youths!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHelen, I had your name in the story about creating and maintaining the butterfly garden, but my topic was going toward the chrysalis house. I couldn't fork off in two directions... you know how it is with writing!
ReplyDeleteI took this photo on July 2nd. It was a HOT day in the butterfly garden at JCRA!
Cameron,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the heads up on the program...it sounds like a good show. That such delicate creatures
can made that journey is nothing sort of nature at its miraculous best.
gail
It's on tomorrow night at 7 pm here. I will be sure to watch it as I am interested in learning more about these flying flowers. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOne of the places I want to visit before I die is to one of the central Mexico locations where the Monarchs winter. Problem is, now these locations are becoming a eco-tourisum destinations and causing harm.
ReplyDeleteTina, speaking of flying flowers, I really enjoyed your post on January 25th. http://tinaramsey.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen, It was Skeeter's post. She has an excellent camera and is a good photographer. One of these days I'll replace my camera and wish I could take credit for it. She did a good job and a trip to Chattanooga will be the works for the Ramsey family. I've heard nothing but good things about the Chattanooga Aquarium. I'll pass on your compliment, she will appreciate it very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great info and links. I've got to plant more milkweed this year!
ReplyDeleteI found you on Blotanical.
You and Kylee had the same inspiration!! I'm hoping to catch the show, but we have a meeting tomorrow night...
ReplyDeleteI wish we could see Monarch's in the Seattle area. I'll have to be sure to watch this documentary with my daughter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link love, Cameron! I will go back and add yours to my post. I have also added links to some previous Monarch posts I had earlier this fall. We had quite a saga going with them!
ReplyDeleteOur garden is also a certified Monarch Waystation. What a great program it is!
Can't wait to see the show!
Hi Cameron
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a monarch. They look really beautiful. The nearest butterfly I've seen which has similiar markings is the Red Admiral. Is the Monarch a large butterfly?
Thanks for letting us know about this program tonight. In my area it is on at 8 PM on PBS. I went to the NOVA web site and watched the 2 minute clip about the show. It is going to be a beautiful show.
ReplyDeleteGail and Tina -- so, it is 7PM in Tennessee. Thanks for posting that for folks in your time zone.
ReplyDeleteLauraz-- Welcome! I'll head over to Blotanical and find your plot.
Shady -- yes, Kylee and I have Monarchs on the mind. I saw her post after I posted and edited to include a link back to her story. Monarch awareness is so important!
Catherine -- Guess I'm surprised about there being no Monarchs in Seattle. They show up in California. I don't know about Oregon.
Kylee -- you've been at this longer. I started the Monarch garden in 2007 with 30-40 cats at a time. My next step is to hand raise them. We have huge flocks of bluebirds... you know how that goes.
Rob -- A Red Admiral is 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 inches. A Monarch is 3 1/2 - 4 inches. I just looked it up in my Audubon Field Guide to Butterflies.
Seaford -- Your in Virginia, right? I'll have to email my son. He's on an archaeological project north of Richmond and will want to watch this. He helped me plant so much of the butterfly garden and gave me my Audubon Field Guide.
Cameron: I shall be watching this presentation..thank you for letting us know.
ReplyDeleteThe Monarch has always been an exciting welcome guest to my garden! This year I plan to grow their host plant the milkweed and perhaps add a
chrysalis house. A neighbor of mine has one and it is such a blessing to watch the changes and then the ultimate "new beginning"!
My heartfelt thank you for your caring words as I coped these past weeks.
Cameron your heart sparkles with compassion! love and light aNNa
Yes Cameron, I am in Virginia, but south of Richmond. We have a different PBS station....though theirs is on at 8 PM also.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Yay! I can't wait. I just checked and it comes on channel 5 here tonight! I love me some butterflies!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I read your post this morning, Cameron; I'll be sure to check out this program tonight. We didn't have as many monarchs this past year as usual, and I'm not sure why. Planting more host plants this spring is on my to-do list.
ReplyDeleteOnce in a while I wish I subscribed to cable or Dish--not very often. I'll have to get my sister to tape this for me.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Thanks for the heads-up, Cameron. Would not have know about this documentary & incredible journey but will be sure to watch. I have often thought about a certified Monarch Waystation but am gone so much throughout gardening months, I have never followed through. Yours must be a delight ...
ReplyDeleteI wish we could all watch this show together! Wouldn't that be fun?
ReplyDeleteCameron
It was so good!!! I taped it! I'm going to watch it over and over. How cool that Helen maintains it. I know the coolest people.
ReplyDelete