Monarch Butterflies

Description:

These photos were taken at the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary at Pacific Grove, near Monterey, California. Every year, the Monarchs stop here on the way to Mexico. They migrate from the lower part of Canada. The Monarchs remain here until through February when they finally leave for Mexico. Later on in the year, so many Monarchs are in this park that they cluster together (Photos 3-5) forming big balls of nothing but butterflies.

Habitat:

Wooded area

Notes:

The best time to go to this park (It's free) is December -January. The park attendant said there was about 8000 Monarchs there now but another large group is expected around Thanksgiving. Besides being one of the more popular species of butterflies, it's one of the more interesting ones. Below are references if you want to learn more about the Monarchs on the West Coast. http://www.seemonterey.com/things-to-do/... http://www.xerces.org/2011/11/23/monarch... http://www.monarchbutterflyusa.com/Cycle... http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23795 http://www.monarchtomorrow.org/milkweed-... http://www.asianscientist.com/2014/10/in... If you want photos of the Monarchs clustering together, I recommend you carry a telephoto lens as the butterflies cluster together 20-30 feet up on the limbs of the eucalyptus trees in the area. There are sufficient butterflies flying around though to get decent photos of them that land on small trees, bushes and the ground, with a standard 35 mm lens.