Where have the Monarch butterflies gone?

I studied monarch caterpillars and butterflies closely about five years ago in Rotorua. There were millions of them and we spent a small fortune feeding caterpillars their very restricted swan plant diet.

Since moving to Auckland two years ago we’ve noticed a drastic decline in butterfly numbers. Plant shops don’t stock swan plants in significant numbers. Caterpillar demand is down.

Where have all the butterflies gone? I discovered where they are hiding.

All the butterflies in Auckland are here, well fed, at the Franklin Farm Waimauku. It seems that they have settled for an easy existence.

We spent a magical time there, yesterday, marvelling at the wonders on show.

Fun for the kids

Missed out on the bunny cuddles but the sunflower fields visible behind the umbrella are amazing. I haven’t gone through my pics yet.

Butterflies, sunflowers and others, bunny hugs. This is one magical place and kids love it.

My favourite scene had nothing to do with any of the above.

They have a tractor and loads of kids were noisily climbing all over it. Screeching with excitement, they weren’t shouting “watch out for old people, take care we are going too fast”. All I heard through a barrage of squeals was “full speed ahead, full speed ahead.”

We’ll be back.