Monday, October 18, 2010

Macro Monday - Monarch on the Way South

The Monarch butterfly is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. The Monarch is famous for its southward migration and northward return in summer in the Americas which spans the life of three to four generations of the butterfly.

In North America they make massive southward migrations starting in August until the first frost. A northward migration takes place in the spring. The monarch is the only butterfly that migrates both north and south as the birds do, but no single individual makes the entire round trip. Female monarchs deposit eggs for the next generation during these migrations.

By the end of October, the population east of the Rocky Mountains migrates to sanctuaries in central México. The western population overwinters in various sites in southern California, notably in Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz.  For a lengthy but interesting article see Wikipedia.




16 comments:

Don't Bug Me! said... [Reply to comment]

Beautiful and interesting.

leavesnbloom said... [Reply to comment]

We don't have Monarch's here in Scotland - they are a butterfly that I always admire on the internet - its wings are like the patterns of stained glass windows.

Cecilia Artista said... [Reply to comment]

Awesome! Great shot!

Birdman said... [Reply to comment]

The Monarch always brings back pleasant memories of fall days.

Colleen said... [Reply to comment]

That's just a great shot all around. The flowers are beautiful.

Bom said... [Reply to comment]

Wow! That's a great shot. I have never been able to capture butterflies up close.

Thanks for the information, too.

Mabuhay from the Philippines!

Yogi♪♪♪ said... [Reply to comment]

The whole migration thing just fascinates me. They look very ill equipped to travel such long distances. The fact that it takes several generations to make the trip is a marvel.

Janis said... [Reply to comment]

Awesome photo. I love the Monarch..such a beautiful butterfly!

Maaike said... [Reply to comment]

a beautiful shot!

Sharon's Mum Anne said... [Reply to comment]

As always, a beautiful picture and fascinating post - thanks Bill.

Lois said... [Reply to comment]

Gorgeous shot!

pip said... [Reply to comment]

a beautiful photo!

Julie said... [Reply to comment]

Lovely shot, Bill. It has a clarity I die for!

Bill said... [Reply to comment]

What a sad life for such a beautiful creature. Thanks for explaining that, I never knew butterflies migrate.

Amber said... [Reply to comment]

Great shot!! I always have a tough time getting a butterfly to hold still long enough I can get it framed and focused like I want it.

Online RSA said... [Reply to comment]

Great picture! I just saw a (pack? group?) of Monarch butterflies, made my day