tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post5323278670305308306..comments2024-03-26T16:11:44.515-04:00Comments on All Things Ruffnerian, a Design Blog and More: Migration of the Monarch ButterfliesMark D. Ruffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-91320157118165317122013-11-02T16:32:58.807-04:002013-11-02T16:32:58.807-04:00Hi, Clara,
As I said in earlier comments, there a...Hi, Clara,<br /><br />As I said in earlier comments, there are a number of factors that determine when [in October] the butterflies will appear, but with your parents being so close, they should be able tocatch the phenomenon at its height.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-19503555402645488792013-11-02T11:15:34.323-04:002013-11-02T11:15:34.323-04:00I had no idea such a great even was within driving...I had no idea such a great even was within driving distance . I live in New Orleans. I've spent plenty of time in the panhandle and would love to add this too my list. Thanks for a wonderful post !Clara Walmsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07907801725064204958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-39654566143469501222013-10-30T10:21:16.751-04:002013-10-30T10:21:16.751-04:00Hi, Scott,
Apparently, there are a number of fact...Hi, Scott,<br /><br />Apparently, there are a number of factors that determine the arrival of the Monarchs. Temperature is one factor, and whether or not it's raining is another.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-54224687574549154172013-10-29T20:01:40.062-04:002013-10-29T20:01:40.062-04:00Hi Mark!
Your blog post is a little vicarious vac...Hi Mark!<br /><br />Your blog post is a little vicarious vacation. I had no idea what to expect in the hints you dropped and knew nothing about this monarch stopping place. My parents went through the panhandle just about the same time. What a shame I could have recommended this to them.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for a colorful and refreshing read.<br /><br />swScott Watermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811055807138445326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-9464167825621260752013-10-26T13:53:50.434-04:002013-10-26T13:53:50.434-04:00Hi, Loi,
I'm glad you have bushes that are at...Hi, Loi,<br /><br />I'm glad you have bushes that are attractive to butterflies! I don't know if Monarchs reach as far north as D. C., but their favorite plant is milkweed. October is my favorite month in Florida — the temperature stays for extended periods at about 74 degrees, and I need neither the air conditioner nor the heater.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-62228532622306045772013-10-26T13:22:46.769-04:002013-10-26T13:22:46.769-04:00Such vibrant colors!! I'm enjoying this cheer...Such vibrant colors!! I'm enjoying this cheerful post on a very cold Saturday here in DC. I do feel bad for the coyote. If it lived further north, it might not make it through the coming winter. Speaking of butterflies, I didn't see many of them this year in our garden. And we have lots of butterfly bushes as well as other plants that attract them. I have never seen a Gulf Fritillary - thanks for sharing!! Woodside Parkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981644571968878448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-43123855068834069972013-10-26T12:21:55.599-04:002013-10-26T12:21:55.599-04:00Dear Gina,
A friend of mine was treated to the sa...Dear Gina,<br /><br />A friend of mine was treated to the same view you had (on the Monarch's western U.S. route), but his hosts hadn't told him beforehand what he was going to see. He looked at what appeared to be trees with orange leaves, but couldn't understand why the leaves were fluttering when there was no breeze. That's when he was told they were all butterflies. He said it was mind-blowing!<br /><br />Incidentally, every year there are turtles hatching on beaches about 20 minutes from my house (St. Pete Beach). During the hatching season, the municipality shield the street lights so the baby turtles won't head to the street instead of the water.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-85867252169250629532013-10-26T09:27:24.989-04:002013-10-26T09:27:24.989-04:00Dear Mark, These are beautiful photographs. I was...Dear Mark, These are beautiful photographs. I was wrong I thought you were going to a sandy beach to rescue newly born turtles. <br />A few years ago Mr G and I went to a small mining town in the Central Highlands of Mexico to visit the migratory breeding grounds of the Monarch Butterfly. We were picked up in Angangulo, at 3 in the morning, and taken by open back truck way up high into the forested mountains. Millions of Monarchs were hanging in the Fir Trees, wings closed. As the sun started to come over the mountain they slowly started to unfurl their wings. What a sight!. Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03429484235583035595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-46172115725894415202013-10-25T14:15:00.595-04:002013-10-25T14:15:00.595-04:00Hi, Rosemary,
It didn't hurt that I was surro...Hi, Rosemary,<br /><br />It didn't hurt that I was surrounded by great cooks, one of whom is a caterer. I mentioned several times that dining at the cottage was easily as caloric as going on an ocean cruise!<br /><br />I worry that we will one day lose the Monarch butterfly because of development. Development has also harmed the fishing industry of Apalachicola, and some of the fish we ate — which should have been local — actually came from Texas.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-31432662266085393162013-10-25T14:03:15.264-04:002013-10-25T14:03:15.264-04:00Hello Mark - what a wonderful experience to see th...Hello Mark - what a wonderful experience to see the Monarchs on their yearly migration. <br />Although I have seen wildlife films showing the flight of the butterflies nothing can prepare you for seeing the actual event yourself.<br />Appears to be a charming 'olde world' place that you all stayed - good company and a breakfast that looks as if it would set you up for the day. Rosemaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814070177137076757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-1432072693293646292013-10-25T12:58:38.112-04:002013-10-25T12:58:38.112-04:00Hello, Jim,
I knew that Monarch butterflies favor...Hello, Jim,<br /><br />I knew that Monarch butterflies favored milkweed plants, but learned at the refuge that the returning butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed because it is the only plant that the caterpillars eat. I sure hope there's someone out there saving the milkweed plant!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-33767667795272909692013-10-25T11:12:21.931-04:002013-10-25T11:12:21.931-04:00Hello Mark, You were lucky to see this migration ...Hello Mark, You were lucky to see this migration of the monarchs. The fields around Cleveland have a lot of milkweed which attracts these butterflies, but I never saw an entire flock. Carrabelle, with so many quiet attractions, looks like a great place for a getaway.<br />--JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.com