No, I am not talking about the phenomenon from Chaos Theory which apparently Edward Lorenze named it as such just because he needed a title for a talk about this phenomenon. Nor am I talking about the Ashton Kutcher Science Fiction thriller of the same name.
I am rather referring to the effect the Butterflies have had on me over the past few years as I look back at the body of work I have collected of these insects.
My recollection goes as far back as November 2010 when National Geographic covered the migration of Monarch butterflies in an article on Animal Migrations.
The fantastic image of Monarch Butterflies taken by legendary National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore stuck in my mind for years.
Little did I know then that when I migrate to Texas a few years later, I will be on the migration path of these beauties and can capture them right in my backyard!
Incidentally, I also did not know that I will some day become a student of Joel Sartore when I stumbled on his online course 'Fundamentals of Photography'. (So may be this is about the Chaos Theory phenomenon?).
In North America, the Monarch butterflies are known for their annual migration from Northern US and Southern Canada to Mexico in late Summer and then the return journey all the way back in Fall. They cover thousands of miles during these migrations while also being one of the most prolific and productive pollinators.
Unfortunately, it is believed that the populations of Monarch Butterflies are dwindling which will in turn impact pollination.
Due to this, many local counties and communities are encouraging residents to cultivate butterfly gardens with milkweed and nectar plants so that they serve as way stations for the migrations.
I have been lucky enough to see the results myself in my own backyard!
Over the years, I have been a regular visitor to some of the local parks and gardens here which has also enabled me to capture not just the Monarch Butterflies but many other butterfly species.
In particular, the Heard Museum, the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and the Texas Discovery Gardens. The Texas Discovery Gardens specifically, is a certified butterfly habitat, where you can see all stages of the insect's lifecycle. Kids absolutely love the two-story Butterfly House and Insectarium for the variety of butterfly species they have over there and also the Snakes exhibit!
Here is a gallery of some of my own captures:
#naturephotography #texas #monarchbutterflies #adobelightroom #canonphotography #narenscaptures #texasdiscoverygardens #heardmuseum #friendsofhagerman #NotGivingUp
As I reflect on the effects Butterflies have had on me and also recollect my recent visit to the Big Bend National Park, I cannot neglect or ignore the debate about 'The Wall' on the south side of the border. Politics aside, this has a huge effect on the ecosystem in addition to the local communities.
One example is the National Butterfly Center which collaborates with the National Park Service in ensuring the survival of the Monarchs on their journey through the Rio Grande Valley, will be directly impacted. I am reproducing here the impact of the Border Wall as outlined by @nationalbutterflycenter.
1) Eradicate an enormous amount of native habitat, including host plants for butterflies, breeding and feeding areas for wildlife, and lands set aside for conservation of endangered and threatened species-- including avian species that migrate N/S through this area or over-winter, here, in the tip of the Central US Flyway.
2) Create devastating flooding to all property up to 2 miles behind the wall, on the banks of the mighty Rio Grande River, here.
3) Reduce viable range land for wildlife foraging and mating. This will result in greater competition for resources and a smaller gene pool for healthy species reproduction. Genetic "bottlenecks" can exacerbate blight and disease.
IN ADDITION:
4) Not all birds can fly over the wall, nor will all butterfly species. For example, the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, found on the southern border from Texas to Arizona, only flies about 6 ft in the air. It cannot overcome a 30 ft vertical wall of concrete and steel.
5) Nocturnal and crepuscular wildlife, which rely on sunset and sunrise cues to regulate vital activity, will be negatively affected by night time flood lighting of the "control zone" the DHS CBP will establish along the wall and new secondary drag roads. The expansion of these areas to vehicular traffic will increase wildlife roadkill.
6) Animals trapped north of the wall will face similar competition for resources, cut off from native habitat in the conservation corridor and from water in the Rio Grande River and adjacent resacas. HUMANS, here, will also be cut off from our only source of fresh water, in this irrigated desert.
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