The Butterfly Who Burped in Your Canola Oil (Alberta, Canada)

Butterflies. What do we really know about the secret life of this "innocent bug"? We marvel at its beauty, watching it pass by in its lazy pattern, and cry when they break a wing; the death of their chrysalis dream. But what are they really doing? What if the lazy pattern we so often see, interpreting as carefree and joyful, is really a society of drunken bugs living off the pollen they so much seem to "enjoy"? We humans believe pollen is needed to help fruit trees bloom and plant life to thrive. It's part of our "fragile eco system". But what if to the bug, these plants are nothing more than an opportunity to become the next big lush in the insect universe? Is there never a need to fly fast and true to deliver the message that the queen of butterflies is only moments away from entering their provincial village? Or how about the time yet another child is waving a butterfly net ready to catch its prey? Should not this insect of beauty steel itself for intense mortal combat, freeing itself from an untimely end!?

Fields of Oil
While on the Road to Fernie, we passed several fields of flowers painted yellow. These fields were not a mere reflection of sun hitting the earth, but rather canola fields; yes the very kind we use everyday for baking and cooking. While they do offer a serene scene to gaze upon, beneath it's quiet beauty lies the secret underground of insects; primarily the butterfly. So the next time you find yourself using canola oil, ask yourself, did a butterfly burp in my canola oil?

The answer is "most likely yes".

wishing you well,

-TJ

Canola Field on the Road to Fernie in Alberta Canada