"The sun slid towards the horizon with a languor typical of everything in that part of the world. Like a drop of honey sliding down the surface of a pink and orange sky."
Oooo... those first two lines really drew me in. Are you hiding poetry somewhere??
I began in 2014, here in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and have raised/released over 1500 butterflies since. Starting in mid-to-late May, I search for monarch eggs on milkweed plants, the only food source for the larval stage. The caterpillars voraciously eat milkweed leaves and grow (from 2 mm to 2 inches in about two weeks) in containers on my screened porch before forming chrysalises. The adult butterflies emerge after approximately two weeks, depending on the temperature, and live for 4-6 weeks. There are about three generations of monarchs each summer.
The mid-August, September, and October butterflies do not mate after emerging, though; instead they migrate hundreds of miles south to high-mountain oyamel forests in Central Mexico and live until the following late February and March. Then, with the lengthening daylight, they slowly return north to Texas and Oklahoma where they mate, lay eggs, and die. Their offspring are ready to fly after the typical life cycle of four weeks. They head further north, mating and laying eggs. Those children of the overwintering population lay their eggs all over the Midwest. My first butterflies released each summer are the grandchildren from the winter monarchs.
The cycle is never-ending. It takes the long-lived, overwintering monarchs survive until spring. It takes multiple, short-lived generations of monarchs to get us through spring, summer, and early fall. There is nothing else like it in the insect world.
Nishant, if you find yourself in Chicago, or anywhere close to the Midwest, connect with me. I'll introduce you to the monarchs, in person. It's truly magical!
That's absolutely fascinating! I have a story about monarchs from 2020, when I was in Chicago. It was during the migration season when they pass through the city. I read about the lifespans and wondered at the fact that a species makes a migratory trek, without even surviving to reach the end of the journey. It's truly incredible, and I'm glad to read your explanation of the over-wintering population and how this exactly works.
You've inspired me to write about my Monarchs story for this coming week's post. 😊 Would you mind if I quoted your comment as well?
By the way, on a side note, my husband and I saw you at The Mabel Tainter Theatre in Menomonie, WI, a few years ago. You were sitting at your booth on the second level, sort of in a corner, creating some SneakyArt. I believe it was during a holiday event. We had previously met you at an outside venue. Maybe Phoenix Park in Eau Claire? Did you visit there?
Bob and I are thrilled to get your weekly inspirations. Thank you!
"The sun slid towards the horizon with a languor typical of everything in that part of the world. Like a drop of honey sliding down the surface of a pink and orange sky."
Oooo... those first two lines really drew me in. Are you hiding poetry somewhere??
I try! ☺️
I love this even more with the poem I saw on your Instagram! Oh my heart!
Keep writing, keep drawing, Nishant, as long as it makes your heart sing 🎶 Cheering you on.
Thank you Melinda. Sometimes the best ideas come after hitting the publish button. 😅
I agree with Chevanne about how the first two lines really capture the reader. So beautiful.
I like these words, too. It speaks about your artwork, every piece you've created.
"I stole a moment of beauty out of the ether of space and time, before it was lost forever."
Keep up the incredible, thoughtful, and creative art and words. I appreciate them so much, Nishant.
Thank you, Ellen! I appreciate deep readers like yourself.
BTW do you really raise monarch butterflies? That's fascinating!
Yes, I really raise monarch butterflies.
I began in 2014, here in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and have raised/released over 1500 butterflies since. Starting in mid-to-late May, I search for monarch eggs on milkweed plants, the only food source for the larval stage. The caterpillars voraciously eat milkweed leaves and grow (from 2 mm to 2 inches in about two weeks) in containers on my screened porch before forming chrysalises. The adult butterflies emerge after approximately two weeks, depending on the temperature, and live for 4-6 weeks. There are about three generations of monarchs each summer.
The mid-August, September, and October butterflies do not mate after emerging, though; instead they migrate hundreds of miles south to high-mountain oyamel forests in Central Mexico and live until the following late February and March. Then, with the lengthening daylight, they slowly return north to Texas and Oklahoma where they mate, lay eggs, and die. Their offspring are ready to fly after the typical life cycle of four weeks. They head further north, mating and laying eggs. Those children of the overwintering population lay their eggs all over the Midwest. My first butterflies released each summer are the grandchildren from the winter monarchs.
The cycle is never-ending. It takes the long-lived, overwintering monarchs survive until spring. It takes multiple, short-lived generations of monarchs to get us through spring, summer, and early fall. There is nothing else like it in the insect world.
Nishant, if you find yourself in Chicago, or anywhere close to the Midwest, connect with me. I'll introduce you to the monarchs, in person. It's truly magical!
That's absolutely fascinating! I have a story about monarchs from 2020, when I was in Chicago. It was during the migration season when they pass through the city. I read about the lifespans and wondered at the fact that a species makes a migratory trek, without even surviving to reach the end of the journey. It's truly incredible, and I'm glad to read your explanation of the over-wintering population and how this exactly works.
You've inspired me to write about my Monarchs story for this coming week's post. 😊 Would you mind if I quoted your comment as well?
Nishant, I would be honored. Thanks for asking.
By the way, on a side note, my husband and I saw you at The Mabel Tainter Theatre in Menomonie, WI, a few years ago. You were sitting at your booth on the second level, sort of in a corner, creating some SneakyArt. I believe it was during a holiday event. We had previously met you at an outside venue. Maybe Phoenix Park in Eau Claire? Did you visit there?
Bob and I are thrilled to get your weekly inspirations. Thank you!
Just stumbled upon your work and I really, really enjoy what you're doing with Substack. Beautiful stuff.
Thank you Bren! 😊