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Spring and the monarchs arrive at the same time. They arrive from Mexico ravenous and will eat until their appetites are satisfied. This king of butterflies generally has a 60 day life span and will be certain to reproduce many times over prior to death. The cycle will continue three to four times over the course of the warmer months. Once the fourth generation emerges from their Chrysalis it is inherently known they are the chosen generation which will make the 2000 mile migration. Their appetites are like no other generation before and their urge to reproduce is suppressed. When the cooling winds of Autumn blow, the monarch will catch a ride back to the mountains of Mexico and wait for Spring to arrive again.

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They arrive at the southern most point of New Jersey by the millions. It is a feeding ground and resting place during their 2000 mile journey, from the northern U.S. to the forested mountains of central Mexico. There is still a great sense of mystery as to how the monarch is capable of making this incredible migratory journey.

Today we watched as the researchers captured data about these beautiful creatures including their sex, weight and wingspan.  They were then tagged and released.  Researchers will continue to tag thousands more this Autumn, and the studies will go on until the secret is discovered.

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The S.S. Atlantus launched on December 5, 1918 and was the second concrete ship constructed post World War I as part of an Emergency Fleet. Due to the critical shortage of steel, experimental ships were made of concrete. The ship’s weight over 2500 lbs was needed and used to transport 1000s of men home to the States from Europe. Two years later, when steel became available, the ship retired. It was later purchased to be used as a ferry docking station in Cape May, NJ. Before ever being used as the intended dock, a strong storm broke it free from the moorings and it ran aground off the Sunset Beach shoreline.

Over the last nearly 100 years, several attempts have been made to free the vessel but none were successful. The salt ocean water, strong waves and currents have not been kind, breaking it in two. She remains embedded on the ocean floor with her bow extending to mark her home.

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This bright, beautiful, warm, sunny day called for a trip to Cape May. It was easy to convince B to come along.

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Since the early 1800 people have been seaching for and collecting Cape May diamonds. These rough stones can be found along the shore lines of the Cape's sunset beach. While they are actually quartz, when smoothed and polished they resemble diamonds. I found these during a midwinter walk. I haven’t had them polished. I prefer them in their natural state.

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Day 3 of 100+ temperatures, it is starting to wear on me and I would venture to say everyone else in the northeast.
It’s difficult to be motivated to do much when you’re sweating just sitting still.

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Zoos are such a mixed bag of emotions for me. Are they for entertainment or education? Do they help to save endangered species or due to the low birth rate would the animals be better off in their natural environment? Do they feel safe from predators or are they bored? Do they like having their dinner served to them or would they rather hunt? Should we hold animals in captivity or as Peter Singer asked in the 1970s, do they have rights?

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Playing around with Kim Klassen's newest texture.
Harbor Refuge Lighthouse is a water base lighthouse.
It stands in the Delaware River 
and can be seen while traveling on the ferry
between Lewes, DE and Cape May, NJ. 

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Each step, on the winding trail, took us deeper into the dark and mysterious forest. We heard the scrambling of feet, first to the right, than to the left. We turned and saw nothing. Again, this time behind us. Were we being followed or stalked? Seeing nothing, we stopped and listened. “Over there,” she said. I still see nothing. “Where?” “There under the brush.” She points. I see it, so camouflaged in thicket, I strain my eyes to see.

I am please to announce my Friday's entry was chosen as one of Jennifer's "Fabulous Five".

She has an awesome Friday linky going on. Go check it out.

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I want to thank everyone who has been nice enough to stop by to visit my little place in space. Your kind and thoughtful comments are a sure way of keeping me inspired to continue with the Project. A heartfelt thank you to each of you. ♥

To address a few questions I’ve been asked. I am always happy to answer questions so feel free to ask.

~ The “floating” strawberry was actually a hanging strawberry. I tide a white thread to the top of the berry, around the stem. Tide the other end around a knife and hang the berry into a clear, square vase. I placed the vase against a white poster and my camera on a tripod. I waited for the berry to stop swinging and I shot through the glass.

~ The many Lighthouse I have been visiting are open. Visitors are always welcome to walk around the grounds they are standing on. The East Point Lighthouse, which stands at the mouth of the Delaware River, has been abandoned.  The Historical Society continues to raise funds which will allow them to restore the building. Many of the others are open, for inside tours, during the summer months and on the weekends during the winter. I do not care for heights and rarely venture up the 100s of open spiral stairs to the top.

~ Dana, (Phriend) and I have known each other for over a decade. We lived in the same neighborhood and for many years, both of us planned our next crafting project at worked for a local craft/fabric shop, which closed 3 years ago. The family of friends we made there continue to stay in touch. Dana and I knew we had a mutual interest in photography but only recent started taking on our big ventures together.

~ and for those who asked me about the "follow" button, I am flattered and added it to the bottom of my sidebar.

Quacky Critter ~

~ American wood duck ~

Visit Camera Critters.

Saturday Critter ~

hmmmm... wonder why this fellow's name is Spoonbill?

Visit Camera Critters.

Beautiful Blue Eyes ~

Friday Photo Share ~

This week’s “lesson” ~ be mindful of where you are cropping. In most instances it is wise not to chop off limbs. Courtney’s examples were proof of this point.

While I was trying to capture the ♥ which was being created by the curved necks of these flamingos, I applied the rule of thirds. Upon uploading and critiquing my own photo (which I do all the time), I wasn’t thrilled with the look of the photo. I thought the photo lacked my “subject” and after reading the lesson about “cropping”, I noticed I had indeed cut off the flamingos lower leg at the point of his/her knee caps. Yuck!

I decided to crop the photo down to create the photo I had in my mind‘s eye. I am much happier with the results.

And a big thank you to Courtney for a new 4GB card, now I can practice, practice, practice.

My World this Week ~

This week afforded me the opportunity to visit an area to which I have not been. It has be on my, long ago made, list of day trip places to explore. Unknowingly, and to my luck, I arrived on the day of the migration of the monarch butterfly. Imagine my delight when we ventured out on the trails to see flowers, trees and bushes covered with 1000s of nectar drinking beauties. I later read, in fact, over 100,000 butterflies had stopped to eat and rest before making the long journey to South America. Rest assure, I have marked my calendar, as I will not miss magical moment next year.

join in @ My World Tuesday.