Reverence: The Monarch Project

Sometimes it doesn't take much to make me happy, and often it is the seemingly small observances of the natural world which lifts my spirits.

Since our return to Ontario we have noticed more Monarch butterflies than we have seen in years. We've heard a lot about the catastrophic decline in Monarch numbers and the causes are many. Habitat loss in their wintering grounds in Mexico, efforts to eliminate milkweed which is an essential source of sustenance, and urbanization of breeding areas are all factors. Apparently the cooler weather of early summer this year was beneficial. There are also greater efforts as well to protect the forests in Mexico where the Monarchs congregate, along with the encouragement to plant milkweed. All these may all be factors in recovery, although this is just one year.



There is a film which I would like to see called Reverence: The Monarch Project. It's only 13 minutes long but the trailer is fascinating. Here is the description of the story line:

Reverence: The Monarch Project presents the synergy between art and science. The duet Spazuk-Delhaes collected, in their natural environment, thousands of traces of monarch butterflies on some carbon black to assemble then and create a self-portrait of it majestic lepidopterous. From Mexico to Quebec, the film depicts the journey of these insects who's survival is threatened. Thanks to a meticulous work involving hundreds of volunteers who cut and and assemble pixels to form a unique image. The artistic creation's purpose is to raise awareness about precariousness of the animal and vegetable life.

I like this notion of reverence. When we sense the holy in Creation, when we return to wonder for the the creatures we may have once taken for granted, such as butterflies, we may be motivated to honour and protect. The reverence we experience in places of worship such as churches must be extended to the forests and meadows and waterways.

Have you seen more Monarchs this year? Does the Reverence film intrigue you? Do you experience the holy in the natural world? I think I'll dig out my copy of Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behavior,  which is also about Monarch butterflies and reverence.