FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – This week’s SnapJAX Stories took us to the picturesque Fernandina Beach, where we followed a fluttering butterfly that seemed to lead us right to our destination. Here, we met Jessyca and Phil Demacos, a couple dedicated to creating a sanctuary for both monarch butterflies and purple martins. Their backyard is a thriving testament to their commitment to conservation and the beauty of nature.
A Sanctuary for Monarch Butterflies
Jessyca Demacos has an incredible collection of SnapJAX photos featuring vibrant butterflies, delicate bluebird eggs, and hatchlings. Each picture showcases nature at its best, and Jessyca’s dedication to creating a perfect environment for monarch butterflies is truly inspiring.
Nurturing Monarch Butterflies
Jessyca has intentionally planted native milkweed, the only host plant for monarchs, in her garden. Monarch butterflies are vulnerable to extinction, with their population declining by nearly 80% since the 1990s. Jessyca’s efforts in planting milkweed provide a crucial lifeline for these beautiful insects.
“It’s very fulfilling, knowing that we’re helping with the conservation of monarchs because they’ve been in decline since the 90s,” Jessyca shared.
The monarchs lay their eggs on the milkweed, and soon, tiny caterpillars emerge. These caterpillars are voracious eaters, consuming the entire milkweed plant before transforming into stunning butterflies. Some monarch butterflies embark on a remarkable journey, traveling nearly three thousand miles to escape winter.
The Majesty of Purple Martins
But monarch butterflies are not the only visitors to the Demacos’ backyard. Jessyca’s husband, Phil, has created an ideal environment for purple martins, the largest swallows in North America. These birds migrate from the rainforests of Brazil every year, traveling over four thousand miles to land in Fernandina Beach.
Attracting Purple Martins
Attracting purple martins is no easy feat. Some enthusiasts wait decades to attract a pair. Phil, however, succeeded in 2020 and now hosts 25 pairs. His backyard features a “purple martin hotel,” a structure designed to accommodate these migratory birds.
“When the babies are in there, we have three nests with six babies, two parents, so it’s eight birds in those little gourds,” Phil explained.
Each year, adult purple martins return to the same spot to mate, and nearly all purple martins in North America rely on man-made housing for their nests.
The Wonders of Migration
One of the most fascinating aspects of purple martins is their incredible sense of direction. Despite traveling thousands of miles, they find their way back to the Demacos’ backyard each year.
“I can’t find my way to Lowe’s without GPS, but they go to Brazil and back,” Phil mused.
Phil meticulously logs the number of nests, counts the eggs, and tracks when they hatch, sending this information to the Purple Martin Conservation Association. This dedication to tracking and conservation is a testament to his passion for these birds.
A Serendipitous Connection
The Demacos’ shared love for purple martins seems serendipitous. Jessyca’s grandmother also raised purple martins, a fact Phil discovered only after they went to visit them.
“I hear all kinds of purple Martin sounds I’m like, I hear purple martins. And sure enough in her backyard, she had two big old systems up with purple martins flying around. It’s like I want to be like that someday. ,” Phil recalled.
Phil plans to add one more rack for the next generation of purple martins, ensuring their backyard remains a haven for these magnificent birds.
Behind the SnapJAX Picture
While butterflies were the primary reason for our visit, the story of the purple martins added a beautiful layer to the narrative. The Demacos’ backyard is a vibrant ecosystem, bustling with life and a testament to their dedication to conservation.
As we left, we marveled at the incredible story behind Jessyca’s SnapJAX pictures. The purple martins will leave in July, and the Demacos say it becomes awfully quiet until the birds return the following year to continue the cycle of life.
Keep sharing your photos on SnapJAX, because behind every picture, there’s a story waiting to be told. You never know when we might reach out to you next.