After photographing waves crashing on the beach, I walked back to Barnegat Lighthouse and could not help but notice at least two Monarch butterflies flying around. One of them landed and held still long enough to have its picture taken.
Later I went to the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences, located in the nearby community with the unusual name of Loveladies, NJ. It is named after Thomas Lovelady who owned an island near the area. Over time the name of the place evolved into its current version, with a very visible sign welcoming visitors to Loveladies community…
As I walked around the grounds of the foundation, I stumbled on its Monarch butterfly waystation where many Monarch butterflies were feeding on milkweed and other kinds of flowers to replenish their energy for their annual migration to as far South as Mexico. This was the most I had seen in over 40 years!
There were also other butterflies, fellow diners.
Jane Lurie said:
Beautiful captures, Hien! Very clear and colorful.
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bluebrightly said:
That must have made you so happy! You do them justice, and your photos express joy.
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neihtn2012 said:
Yes, seeing so many of them made me quite happy!
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quietsolopursuits said:
It’s good to hear that you saw more monarchs than ever, it’s even better that you shared your finds with us through your beautiful photos!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you very much Jerry!
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Rebel Girl said:
You are so good at taking pictures!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you for your kind comments!
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Streets of Nuremberg said:
absolutely breathtaking!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you!
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Jim Streeter said:
Another set of great photos. Thanks for sharing
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Jim!
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katelon said:
What a treat!
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neihtn2012 said:
Yes, indeed!
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Helen C said:
Lovely photos, Hien. Isn’t it late for those Monarch Butterflies to fly south? I stopped seeing any in our area a month ago. (I think a month. Maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago…)
Have a wonderful day.
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neihtn2012 said:
You live at a higher latitude than down here, so perhaps these Monarchs have migrated from your neighborhood to ours. They will keep going South though. Thanks for commenting, Helen.
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Eliza Waters said:
Your post is so heartening, Hien – I am hopeful that this precious butterfly is rebounding. It has been a good year for them. With a few more like this, we may see historical numbers once again. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!
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neihtn2012 said:
Maybe in some recent years it got too cold for them and many died. This year has been warmer, so far, so there is hope.
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DRF said:
Very nice photos.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you very much!
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MichaelStephenWills said:
admirable macros — good news in the high numbers of monarchs.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you! Indeed, it was a pleasant surprise for me to see so many of them in one place.
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