Discuss: Overseer of Butterflies

I am not as familiar with butterflies as I am with plants, yet I am fairly certain that the barrens we have discovered and are documenting in north western Kentucky hosts unusual butterflies! Some of the plants we are seeing are endangered, threatened or even considered extirpated in the state…and if one takes into account the usual symbiotic relationships between insects and plants, this could be an area worth Mr. Pyle’s investigation! There is a Nature Conservancy preserve close by which has a similar plant list and therefore maybe similar insect visitors.
And to follow the thread of this article: I have recently become a ‘contract botanist’, collecting seed, herbarium specimens and taking photos of plants in their natural habitat for the Millennium Seedbank whilst continuing in my chosen work in Indiana as a garden designer using predominantly Midwest native plants; which ties together my passions for our natural world, travel, photography, writing, growing things and just being alive…having started out as a librarian and computer programmer!

Robert..Good luck and have a great adventure and certainly take some photos of the butterflies and the environment around them..As a teenager I used to love the fall when the Monarchs would migrate through Kansas on their way to Mexico..started my own quest for knowledge of the natural environment. Look forward to the updates.

Robert:  When in New York come and experience the wonder of living on an eco-butterfly farm…welcome any time!  Stay in our guest cottage and work on our butterfly farm for a free meal and good conversation.

Or, reading Ed Abbey again: “My vocation has been that of inspector of desert water holes.”

Bob, as you head (I assume) south to Florida, the Gulf and the SW borderlands leaving the mixed rain and snow, the winter floods of the Chehalis, Newaukum and Gray’s Rivers, and the instars (and pupae?) of Woodland Skippers and Ochre Ringlets soaking in the inundated riparian prairie/wetlands here in the musty NW, we will follow your progress, track your entries, and anticipate (with controlled jealousy) the imagoes of spring.

May daily discoveries (as they must) feed your continual curiosity and delight, so we, the secondary consumers, can thrive as well. If there’s a way to respond, we will.

What a wonderful journey to undertake.  Or, in the parlance of earlier times, “what a trip!!”.

May your roadways be smooth and your days (and nights) be only eventful enough to keep things interesting.

As a retired recipient of SS payments myself and having learned to live very low on the economic foodchain, I have now adopted the title “Observer of all things natural and benign” and am also the non-designated “Keeper of Hummingbirds”, including some that overwinter here in the NW corner of Oregon - they know how to find me.

Thank you, Robert, for your wonderful insight.

Keep on Truckin’

I have known Bob forever; at one time joined at the hip in junior high. You have always been one to step out and follow your heart. I am sure this adventure and trail you are about to follow will be as fulfilling as our frinedship has been.
Buena suerte, mi compadre/amigo. I look forward to following this period of your life.

This sounds like a wonderful adventure. If your plans include catching a glimpse of the Nokomis fritillary, there is a seep not too far from us that has been protected as critical habitat for this species.  So, if your journey includes western Colorado, please contact us. You’d be more than welcome to stay with us (in exchange for a good story or two!).

Good luck to you as you venture out in Powdermilk…but hopefully, not too much powdermilk snow!  You are just the right person for this great calling!! Can’t think of anyone better suited. We look forward to sharing your adventure. If you need a place to stay in Gainesville,FL,let me know.  The guest room has a wonderful view!  Kathy (Project Butterfly WINGS)