Nature Notes ~ Spring 2020

Warming Up with Nature

The promise of spring is here! I love winter, but I'm also excited for the warmer weather when it arrives. The birds seem to be pretty happy about it, too! They're singing and flying all over the place! ​And with the rising temps comes the promise of butterflies soon!

During late winter a few years ago, our family went on a cruise to the Caribbean. It was heavenly to feel the warm sunshine when back home it was still so cold. I remember a wonderful excursion on this trip that was simply delightful. A day at the Butterfly Farm! 

In this tropical oasis, there were hundreds of butterflies everywhere! These "flying flowers" were amazing in all their vivid colors. It was truly magical! Also really neat, was how much the staff at the Butterfly Farm genuinely cared for these delicate creatures. I found this same gentleness and passionate conservation ethic at Chatfield Farm's Butterfly Pavilion in Colorado where I completed research for my new painting. The enthusiasm of the staff and volunteers for educating visitors about how to attract and protect butterflies made my heart smile.

​Butterflies are such a beautiful symbol of transformation in its many forms. Caterpillars to butterflies. Dormant to blossoming with color. Winter to spring. ​Nature...what a miraculous gift!

With so much appreciation for our natural world, happy spring to you!

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Brand New Painting!

​​I'm so excited to share my newest painting, Home for Butterflies! With spring here, it won't be long before these awesome little beings emerge from their cocoons and grace us with their beauty. This new image brings attention to the ever important relationships between our pollinators and a healthy plant kingdom. The pattern of a butterfly wing surrounds pretty wildflowers within the butterfly form to magnify the connection of all life.

To read more about Home for Butterflies, please click here!

Home for Butterflies

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Conservation Corner

Do you love watching butterflies as much as I do? To attract these beauties to your garden, place fruit in a sunny spot. Oranges, bananas, apples, and strawberries are fan favorites. Organic or well-washed fruit is best to avoid any chemicals that could harm your winged friends. Planting native wildflowers is another awesome way to help pollinators thrive. Bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds will thank you! Click here for more tips on attracting and enjoying butterflies!

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Rainforest Hike 

During our cruise in the Caribbean, another awesome excursion we enjoyed was a rainforest hike on the island of Saint Kitts. I was amazed at the massive trees and gorgeous flowers! And everything was so lush and GREEN! I remember one tree that was quite special. It reminded me of the tree in the Disney movie, Fern Gully. This giant Saman was over 400 years old! Of course, I had to share some love and give this wise and wonderful tree a great big hug! (Click on the photos to enlarge.)

The rain showers came and went during our hike which was quite normal according to our very entertaining guide (in the green shirt). Just like the staff and volunteers at the butterfly exhibits, he was so passionate about the trees and native species of his homeland. His sense of humor had us laughing and smiling even in the rain! Our guide's love of the rainforest was contagious. Everyone had a fantastic time learning about and experiencing this tropical paradise. The vast diversity of life on our planet is incredible and gives us so much to be grateful for!

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Home for Butterflies Prints on Sale + Annual Earth Day Drawing!

To celebrate our beloved butterflies, please enjoy 25% off Home for Butterflies prints now through Earth Day 2020! Just enter the coupon code "Butterflies" at check-out. Let's share our love for butterflies with the world! 

Also the annual print drawing is soon to come in celebration of Earth Day's 50th anniversary! This year's winner will be drawn on April 22 and will receive a free print of his/her choice, including shipping! Everyone on my newsletter list is eligible to win. Look for the announcement in the summer edition of Nature Notes!

Rich and Natalie, last year's winners of the Earth Day drawing, chose the Home for Bison print. When visiting, Rich's mom fell in love with the image so Rich and Natalie gifted her the print and now it's part of her home's western motif. What a heartwarming story of sharing our love for nature! 

Wishing you a beautiful spring, friends!