The Monarch Butterfly

I found this Monarch butterfly in the yard. We’ve had some colder weather in northern Florida which likely shortened it’s lifespan.

The monarch is considered to be the king of butterflies and the most beautiful of all butterflies in the world. According to what I have read, the Monarch is named after King William III of England as the butterfly’s main color is that of the King’s secondary title, Prince of Orange.

I feel blessed it chose my place to live and die, but sad that it wasn’t one of the millions of monarchs that migrate annually to warmer climate. Monarchs have a remarkable long-distance migration. In North America, monarchs overwinter in both Mexico and along the California coast. A monarch can fly up to 2,700 miles. With the same weight to distance ratio, that would be the same as a robin flying to the moon and most of the way back. That is amazing!

Development to make space for agriculture, urban expansion and climate change is eliminating areas of the butterflies’ winter shelter along with their main food supply and the Monarch is now considered endangered.

The Monarch represents strength, endurance, spirituality, trust, sustaining what they believe, transformation, and evolution and it is said that a monarch butterfly landing on you is a sign that you are on the right path and heading in the right direction.

I strive to be like the Monarch and I hope come spring I can get one to land on me.