The Traveler

Monarchs are one of the most recognized butterflies in North America.  Always a joy to watch, the Monarch migrates thousands of miles each year.  But did you know that any one particular Monarch doesn’t live long enough to make the entire cycle.  So how do they know where to go?  That’s one of those mysteries that is not fully understood, and is chalked up to “instinct”.

The Traveler was photographed in October of 2011 at the Bayou Pierre Unit of Red River National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Louisiana.  So in October, this butterfly should be headed southwest towards Mexico.  I wonder where this butterfly came from?  Perhaps it was born near here, or maybe up in Missouri, or maybe Maine?  We’ll never know for sure.  But we can enjoy these colorful insects as they pass through each year.

The Traveler is one of two butterfly images that will be presented in a photo art exhibition beginning June 1^st 2012 and continuing throughout the summer months at Magale Library, Centenary College, Shreveport, Louisiana.  The exhibit is open to the public during regular library hours.  All images in the exhibit were taken at the Red River National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Louisiana.  Sponsored by the non-profit Friends of Red River National Wildlife Refuge, the exhibit showcases the various mammals, insects, birds and scenery that may be found on the Refuge.  The Friends group is a non-profit volunteer group that supports the Refuge and promotes public awareness through such endeavors as this photo exhibit.