*This week, Nature’s pageantry afforded Angelenos and others a rare and glorious spectacle. A cool wet winter has unleashed a super floral bloom and along with this magnificence came the throngs of painted lady butterflies.
California’s state flower is a gorgeous poppy Image credit: Reese Halter
From San Diego to Camarillo, these splendid butterflies danced across the sky. An estimated billion painted ladies brought smiles to millions of people, helping to officially usher the kaleidoscope of spring colors.
Lupines takes nitrogen from the atmosphere and with bacteria on its roots mineralizes it into the soil — Nature’s fertilizer flowers. Image credit: Reese Halter
These dainty ladies began their remarkable journey from the California’s Low Desert to the Pacific Northwest. It’s an inter-generation 1,200-mile migration, meaning that it takes about four generations of these wonderful pollinators to reach their final northern destination. At the mercy of the wind and with pure tenacity, these ladies defy the odds.
Nature can find its way, but we must all lend a helping hand by consuming less.”
An incomparable honeybee working lupines flowers. Image credit: Reese Halter
Witnessing this breathtaking billion-butterfly migration brought much solace to my soul, especially since insects globally are dire jeopardy. 41 percent are in decline and of those about one third are threatened with extinction. This joyous butterfly migration reminds us that Nature can find its way, but we must all lend a helping hand by consuming less.
A pungent orange blossom amidst a super floral bloom. Image credit: Reese Halter
Globally, the children, led by Nobel-nominated Greta Thunberg, are striking from school to force the world’s leaders to immediately reduce fossil fuel emissions, end annual $5.3 trillion fossil fuel subsidies and embrace a zero combustion global economy by 2030.
A masterpiece buttercup. Image credit: Reese Halter
It’s not a moment too soon as fierce spring storms continue to lash the United States while heatwaves continue to bake Australia. The Arctic is now predicted to warm during the winter by 3-5C, or, 5 to 9F, by midcentury irrespective of a reduction of fossil fuel emissions. That means Earthlings can expect more frequent and more intense horrendous extreme weather events. We need to plan for our survival by protecting the remaining pockets of Nature on land and under the sea.
Millions of children around globe walked out of school on strike for the climate, 15 March 2019. Image credit: News.com.au
We all need hope and inspiration. I urge everyone to spend more time in Nature and discover joy, harmony and peace. Nature’s potent wellness science is just waiting to nourish your soul and rekindle your spirits!
#ConsumeLess
#GoVegan
#Resist
#LoveNature
#FridaysForFuture
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Dr Reese Halter is an award-winning broadcaster, distinguished conservation biologist and author.
Record-breaking climate firestorms are raging across the Amazon Rainforest. A stubborn South American drought and extreme temperatures are stoking climate fires in
