Nature Archives - the right effort

Impressive Monarch Butterfly Migration!

November 1, 2026October 6, 2026Posted in blogging, Butterflies, environment, wildlife, writingTagged blogging, monarch butterflies, Nature, travelLeave a comment

Let’s zero in on the monarch butterflies on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. These butterflies migrate 3,000 miles from North America to Central Mexico! (Those west of the Rocky Mountains migrate a shorter distance from California to Mexico.)

Anyway, I started to be fascinated about the monarch butterfly migration after a stop at Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center in Wood River, Nebraska. The last time I visited here it was a March day during sandhill crane migration. But on this visit now, I was learning how to tag monarch butterflies. A very patient director of the center explained to all of us assembled how to catch then tag a monarch butterfly. Then we had an opportunity to give it all a try.

How to hold a butterfly without hurting it.

Measurements were going to be taken and recorded.

Later, I found a monarch butterfly in a shrub … and it had a tag on it!

I also learned about two apps: Monarch Watch where you’ll see over a million monarch butterflies tagged. At this app you submit your tagging data or report found tags. The other app: Project Monarch is where they use the smallest transmitters to track monarchs. The website: https://celltracktech.com is very informative about the use of the technology just in the last couple of years! I’m following two monarch butterflies at the Project Monarch app and see many more across the USA. My recommendation is to check both apps! All of it is fascinating.

The other amazing thing I learned is the life cycle of the monarch butterfly through the different generations. I have planted milkweed plants hoping to do my part in their growth, but I needed to understand how and when it is that these butterflies fly the great distances. Here is my understanding in a nutshell:

Monarch butterflies only live 2 – 6 weeks during the summer as adults. In mid-August though, the migratory generation can live up to 9 months. It’s these monarchs that emerge, do not reproduce and begin their migration south to an overwintering site they have never been to in Central Mexico! By early November they arrive in the oyamel fir trees on the south and southwest facing mountain slopes. Here they survive the winter. (Some day I will get to Mexico to see the butterflies in the trees!)

In March, these butterflies travel to Texas and southern states, lay eggs and feed as they migrate and breed. This first generation from the overwintering population continues the journey north in late April and May. Second and third generations populate breeding grounds during the summer. It’s the fourth generation beginning in mid-August to be the non-reproducing ones heading south to the over-wintering site. Amazing!!

So I will learn more about monarch butterflies as they roost in Central Mexico this winter. And I’ll look forward to seeing or detecting tags and/or transmitters next spring! Wow, what a fun activity to learn more about!

Returned to Presque Isle Park, Marquette, MI

October 22, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, environment, Nature, travel, wildlife5 Comments

Presque Isle Park I enjoyed the first time I visited and so I am back! This time to walk at Black Rocks Beach and take a hike at the Bog trail. Photos of our time before the rain!

Black Rocks Beach:

Bog Trail:

Presque Isle Bog Walk and out to Lake Superior!

Elephant Herd at Boston Public Garden!

October 4, 2026September 5, 2026Posted in Animals, Artwork, blogging, environment, wildlife, writingTagged blogging, environment, Nature, wildlifeLeave a comment

The herd’s indigenous creators made each elephant from an invasive weed in India: lantana camara. This aggressive plant can be found in TX, FL, CA, Australia, India and inland at the Galapagos. These Indian artisans of the Real Elephant Collective in southern India use the invasive weed to construct the elephants. I tried to capture their work in the photos below. Fortunately I saw the herd on tour in Boston, MA. For more info regarding their next stops, check out: TheGreatElephantMigration.org

You’ll see one red elephant named “Mayflower”. This elephant is to represent those in the real world when they would turn red when coating themselves in iron-rich clay. They do this to protect their skin from the sun and as a natural barrier against bugs.

It was a wonderful opportunity to see the work of these indigenous artisans, using an invasive weed, and creating a magnificent display of powerful animals! BTW, each sculpture is for sale.

The “Paper House” in Massachusetts

October 1, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, education, environment, history, Nature, travelLeave a comment

The “Paper House” in Rockport, Massachusetts was an interesting quick visit. This 1924 house with paper walls and furniture has survived a century! It was a summer camp to live in; only roof, floor and house frame wooden when originally built, the rest from paper.

The Stenman family read 3 newspapers per day. With additional newspapers from others, they built this house and made various furniture pieces, such as the grandfather clock. It was built in 1933 from the capital city papers from 48 states at that time:

Walls were newspaper pages pasted … with mixture of flour, water and apple peels…. with lacquer then applied. Walls were layered 215 sheets thick and were for insulation; now covered to hold the walls in shape.

Visitors to the property can step into the house and see all the created pieces. Some are tightly rolled or folded paper structures, but the piano is real and covered with paper. When you visit, look closely at some furniture and you’ll see historical headlines from the 1920’s.

Need a place to stay for the night? Check out the Blue Shutters in Gloucester

Wish to eat a lobster roll? Check out Charlie’s Place. Take a short hike at Halibut Point… plenty to visit along the coast; enjoy!

Fungi Galore!

September 13, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, Plants, writingTagged blogging, environment, hiking, Nature2 Comments

The wet ground in upstate New York forested area was the perfect place for fungi to grow. On one hike here are the various fungi I observed with help from my 2 friends.

Fungi are helpful in decomposing organic material; much needed!

Fillmore Glen State Park in upstate NY

September 10, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged environment, history, Nature, travel, wildlife3 Comments

Fillmore Glen became a state park thanks to the efforts of Charles Atwood. He recognized the beauty and importance of maintaining a place like this for years to come. His efforts began in 1919; finally in June 1925 the 941 acres was recognized as a state park. It is named Fillmore Glen State Park in honor of US President Fillmore.

I appreciate his interest in protecting this land!

Visitors can hike the north, south or gorge trail and easily make a 3 mile loop as we did. On the south rim trail we observed many mushrooms … so different from my home desert environment… and completed our loop on the gorge trail.

Wow! Gorge trail is spectacular with waterfalls. Plenty of water was running and falling! We walked in a narrow, steep-walled gorge under trees and protected from the summer heat. It was wonderful and not muddy or buggy.

People can hike, camp, swim in the designated area and fish at the Owasco Lake inlet. Nature Conservancy is also involved in protecting this watershed.

If you are near Moravia, New York, this is definitely a park to visit!

Next blog post I photographed different types of fungi!!! Will share.

Mushrooms in New York State

September 3, 2026August 10, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, PlantsTagged blogging, environment, NatureLeave a comment

Mushrooms were everywhere during our latest hike at Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs near Lansing, New York. The mushrooms took on all colors and shapes. I do not know one mushroom/fungi from another, but loved looking at and photographing them. Enjoy!

Finger Lakes Land Trust in NYS

August 30, 2026August 10, 2026Posted in Birds, blogging, environment, wildflowers, wildlife, writingTagged birds, environment, hiking, Nature, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

New York State has a new trail thanks to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Near Lansing New York is a 224 acre protected conservation area named Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs. The out and back 3.4 mile trail can be located on AllTrails app.

Ample parking is available at start, then a leisurely meadow walk and pollinator garden. Great hike for anyone wanting shade. Since it rained recently, we saw numerous examples of fungi. Plenty of black raspberries ready to pick! Further along there are vista points; cliffs over-looking Cayuga Lake; bench available to sit and relax. Four thousand feet of shoreline so better views could be from a boat if you happen to be on the lake!

A trail worth checking out if you are in the area! Bird-wise it was quiet, so I distracted myself looking at mushrooms. Next blog post I’ll share some photos of fungi!

Southeast Arizona Bird Festival is Coming Soon!

July 30, 2026July 16, 2026Posted in Birds, blogging, wildlifeTagged Arizona, birds, Nature, TucsonLeave a comment

Bird festivals offer fantastic opportunities to anyone with an inkling interest in birds. At these festivals one can attend presentations about specific bird topics. Or sign-up for field trips to local areas with an expert and others to see birds in the area. Plus they often have keynote speakers. Festivals have vendors in attendance to present binoculars, cameras, etc where you can put your hands-on the items and environmental groups sharing their goals for our natural areas: land, water and air. Have you been to a bird festival lately?

Upcoming: August 12 – 16, 2026 is the Southeast Arizona Bird Festival in Tucson, Arizona. Many birds fly through the southeast and at the festival you’ll have an opportunity to view birds on field trips, meet fellow birders and learn from presenters. Stop by the nature expo too. You can register for the festival at tucsonbirds.org

Happy birding!

Vermilion flycatcher can be seen in Tucson!

Meet Friends at Black Canyon in CO

July 19, 2026July 5, 2026Posted in Animals, blogging, environment, history, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged environment, NAtional PArk, Nature, travel, wildlife3 Comments

Black Canyon at Gunnison National Park is a place I never visited. So when east coast friends mentioned visiting this Colorado national park, I thought well why not meet them there! Wow, that was a good decision!

We drove the south rim road at this national park after a stop at the visitor center which survived a 2025 wildfire here. From the rim’s vista points, it is easy to understand why this park is called the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Looking down the sheer, black canyon walls at nearly 2 billion year old rock, you will eventually see a river 1800 feet below! The walls are massive and it is amazing to realize the river had cut through the uplift’s core of rock a couple of million years ago.

While still on the south rim road, we saw three big horn sheep walk from the rim, across the road to another location.

We also drove the east portal road. There we read signage about the Gunnison Tunnel and diversion dam built between 1905 and 1909. Want to know about a major engineering project, I encourage you to read its history! We walked the road paralleling the Gunnison River which dead ends at Crystal Dam. Looking up on the massive rock walls was truly a different perspective!