Friday, March 5, 2010

Robots like butterflies too...



My talented friend, Adam Prenger, created this phenomenal picture with a robot in a koi pond holding a butterfly for me. The butterfly is detailed and of the coloring of the painted lady so of course I asked if he knew that Vanessa meant butterfly. He said he didn't and I became hyper intrigued and my inquisitive mind began a searching...



Did you know there are 4 species of Vanessa butterflies in North America?
The Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta (Like my nicknames Big Red and Redwolf...)
The Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui (a nod to the artist in me)
The West Coast Lady, Vanessa annabella (Seattle, need I say more...)
The American Lady, Vanessa virginiensis (well, might as well be)
Learn about butterflies.com says...
"The Painted Lady Vanessa cardui however is the most widely distributed butterfly in the world, found in North America from Alaska to Mexico, and south to the Caribbean islands and Venezuela. In the Old World it occurs throughout Europe and temperate Asia, over most of Africa, Madagascar, the Azores, the Canary Islands, the Arab states, and across to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. In the Far East it occurs in Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra - and extends it's range south through the Indonesian islands to Western Australia. The New Zealand Painted Lady Vanessa kershawi is also regarded by some taxonomists to be a sub-species of cardui."

And get this..."The cosmopolitan distribution of the Painted Lady is caused by a combination of it's very strong migratory behaviour and polyphagous nature.." Polyphagous means excessive desire for food :)

Makes me think that the cosmos were talking. It connected me back to that explorer that one day saw these magnificent creatures and thought "vanessa" and years and years later my mother saw me and thought "vanessa". What puts that whisper into their ears? Its all a little boggling. Don't you think?

Well I guess I don't need to read my horoscope today, I can write it myself. I'm a born artist, destined to see all the world, sampling the tastes of all the cultures. I think I'm on the right track...the west coast was just the beginning...

2 comments:

Liz said...

this is so fascinating and perfect for you! i had no idea vanessa meant butterfly and butterflies are one of my most favorite things. which means you are one of my favorite "things" too. :) i love this

Anonymous said...

Butterflies are so beautiful and free...they go from place to place and wherever they land...people love to watch them and just be near them. I think the same is true with you my dear.