Last night “60 Minutes” aired a segment about Monarch butterflies and their remarkable annual migration from Canada and the northern United States to a tiny patch of forest in central Mexico. You’ve probably known about the migration for many years. And there’s a good chance you’ve also heard about the sharp decline in the Monarch population in recent years, due in large part to American agriculture wiping out the milkweed where they lay their eggs.
But that aside, just enjoy the segment as a reminder that there is still beauty and wonder in the world. You’ll hear the sound of a million butterfly wings. And see how they are tagged in order to learn more about them. And watch Anderson Cooper cupping an inert monarch in his hands, gently warming it until it can again move its wings and return to the branches above. For me that was the highlight:
The next video is just a teaser. I couldn’t find an embeddable version of the full 12 minutes but you can watch it on CBS.
“60 Minutes Overtime” provided background information about filming the Monarch segment:
And a reminder: April is Earth Month and tomorrow, April 22, is Earth Day.
Nature is indeed a welcome respite from other concerns of the day, like politics and the death of the kind leader of a religion with a membership of 16% of all humans on the planet, a religion with a past full of exploitation, torture, . . . Oops, there I go again. No matter thinking of butterflies, I can’t see to help myself. Anyway, thanks for trying to distract me.
Had you there for a minute or two, didn’t I? 🙂
Yes, nature is it for me
Yep, it’s magic.
It’s magical, but sad. I haven’t seen a monarch in years.
I haven’t either. I’ve thought about planting some milkweed but I read somewhere that it has to be certain kind of milkweed. Also don’t know if they even migrate through here.
Hardly surprisingly, I am unable to view. But I can see the adorable Anderson talking with the photographer, with associated butterfly footage. 🙂
I wonder how his son is doing …?
I’ve had trouble in the past trying to view overseas videos. Usually if I try different approaches I can find one that works. Did you try viewing on CBS, on YouTube, as well as here? The butterfly revival is included in the 12-minute video on CBS.
Didn’t Cooper and his partner adopt two boys? I don’t recall the details, or how long ago it was.