"A Memorial Butterfly Release"

"A Memorial Butterfly Release"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

It was an honor to release a monarch butterfly for a dear friend who recently lost her husband. He served in Vietnam, was a godly man, and was an awesome cook.

He suffered quite a bit, but never complained.

     When I would ask him how he was doing, he would say, “I’m doing okay.” 

     I’d reply, “I look forward to the day when you can say, 'I’m doing good.’” 

That day never happened, but he is in Heaven and praising his creator today. He is whole and running the streets of gold.

I will miss you, dear one, and look forward to our reunion.

 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com 

Journey North 2022

“Journey North 2022”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

The monarch butterflies are inching closer and closer to Tennessee. Someone spotted a monarch in LaGrange, Georgia, on March 6, 2022—that's half-way there. I am so excited!

Why would I bring this up? If you are new to following me, I raise monarch butterflies from egg to releasing the butterfly. I tag them with a special tag from Monarch Watch that tracks their journey back to Mexico in the fall.

To learn more about tagging monarch butterflies, go to: https://monarchwatch.org/tagging/

To see an up-to-date map of the monarch’s migration, go to journeynorth.org and scroll through the maps section until you see “Monarch Adult Sighted.

Have a blessed day!

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com/

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

Monarchs Falling From Heaven

“Monarchs Falling From Heaven”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

I am in love with monarch butterflies and have been since I started raising them.

While I was in Cades Cove on Friday, I found a patch of white flowers. There were monarchs everywhere! I gasped and almost started crying.

 It was as if they were dropping out of the sky from nowhere. The monarchs are migrating to Mexico and must have crossed over the mountain and said, “Look, there is Cades Cove! Let’s go there!”

Have you seen them migrating through in the last few weeks?

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Cades Cove, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Time Has Come

“The Time Has Come”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Spring, summer, and early fall are always my busiest seasons of the year. I am already active with my wildlife and nature photography, especially photographing black bears. But the activity that keeps me busiest is raising monarch caterpillars.

I am doing whatever possible to save the monarchs. If it means going into tall fields and collecting eggs while I get tons of chiggers, I’ll do it. By the way, that happened this summer.

But the time has come for them to start their migration to the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. Millions of monarchs will congregate there for the winter. One day, I will meet them there!

People wonder how they make that long, arduous journey when they seem so fragile. Well, I know the answer—it is God. He created all the critters I so enjoy. God wired them to know where to go to escape the cold winter in Eastern North America.

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

Keep your eye to the sky. Have you seen them? If so, where?

Nominations Open

“Nominations Open”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Once again, I am releasing monarch butterflies in memory or honor of a loved one. I don’t have many yet. Please read all:)

Last year I released about 50 butterflies in honor/memory of loved ones. I also let some children name the butterflies and then release them. It brought me immense pleasure! It brings me joy knowing it brings joy to others. I have also enjoyed hearing your comments of joy because of the release:)

If you have a friend or family member who would like a butterfly released in memory or honor of a loved one, please reach out to them and ask them if they would like one released. If you or they would like a butterfly release, please visit my Facebook photography page and look for the above photo and leave your request there. 

Please visit: www.facebook.com/judyroyalglennphotography 

I am also posting this on my other social media platforms. To be fair, I will go in order they are requested unless there is a specific date that coincides best with the release of that butterfly. 

****There is one exception. If you have already had one released, I will let the new people go before you:)****

I will try to take a cellphone photo or video of the release if I can. The butterflies don’t always cooperate. I will inform you when I post your special butterfly. 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Time to Fly

“Time to Fly”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Autumn is finally here—I love the cool mornings and evenings. But I have some sadness. The monarchs will be leaving very shortly. 

I have enjoyed their presence since raising them in the spring. My time will now be focused on other things.

It is their time to fly to Mexico—it had to come so they can survive. I look forward to your return!

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

Mexican Monarch Fiesta

"Mexican Monarch Fiesta"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

Very soon Monarchs will be having a fiesta in Mexico as they migrate there for the winter. I can only imagine the sight!

It has been a very long season for me raising God’s beautiful creatures since April. With their numbers in serious decline, all the long hours are totally worth it!

 Their numbers have dropped as much as 90% in the last two decades in the U.S. 

Would you help by growing milkweed in your yard or field and plant a butterfly garden to help them from going extinct? Milkweed is the only food the caterpillars eat. 

I would love for my grandkids to see them one day!! Thank you!!

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Athens, Georgia

His Love for Me

“His Love for Me”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

During this difficult time of uncertainty because of the Coronavirus, you can rest assured God is in control.

Social distancing is something I’d never heard before this virus. You may be miles apart from your loved ones or feel miles apart from them in your own home. But God is with you every step of the way. 

I don’t know what you are going through, but God is greater. ”You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4  

Brian Littrell wrote a song titled Over my Head. Many years ago, I played it over and over a million times during one of the most difficult times in my life. Through his song, the Lord reached down and literally touched my heart and soul. He showed me the depths of His love for me. 1 John 4:4

Jeremiah 33:3 states, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” 

Numbers 6:24-26 states, “May the LORD bless you and keep you;

May the LORD cause His face to shine upon you

And be gracious to you;

May the LORD lift up His countenance toward you

And give you peace.” 

It is neat that this monarch butterfly looks like he is giving the flower a hug. 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Athens, Georgia

Their Journey North

“Their Journey North”
Judy Royal Glenn Photography

The monarch butterflies are on their way back to the States from wintering in Mexico.

I raised many monarch butterflies last year. I also tagged 51 monarchs through Monarch Watch to help understand their migration to Mexico.

If you are interested in tracking their migration, Google “Journey North.” A migration map shows real-time sightings of these beautiful creatures. I am so excited and can’t wait to see my first one! 

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website: 

www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

“Looking Forward” "Aldora"

“Looking Forward” 

"Aldora"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

As well as reflecting back on a year, I also like to look forward into the new year. Although, we are not promised tomorrow.

This year I will be celebrating my 30-year wedding anniversary. Marriage not always easy, but it good at the same time. Sometime this year, we will be taking a trip to celebrate. I have a lot more research to do!

Hopefully. I will get to see and photograph a lot of wildlife. There is so much about Tennessee to learn!

I don’t know how many hummingbirds and monarchs are here, but I hope to raise more monarchs.

Of course, there is Cades Cove. It is my second home. Only living an hour away is a dream come true!

This is Aldora—a monarch butterfly. She was a sick caterpillar, and her wings did not form correctly. She did not get a Monarch Watch tag since she will not be migrating to Mexico.

She lived her few days to the fullest. I put her on plants to feed but also fed her nectar I made. She enjoyed being in the sunshine!

I enjoyed caring for her and loved her so!!

To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee