Diminishing numbers but oh so beautiful!
Dec 16, 2018 17:39:24 #
Instead of the many thousands we usually get, the numbers of migrating monarchs are sharply reduced, an endangered species. I plant milkweed for them in my yard, and I am grateful I live next to a butterfly preserve where I can visit them during their usual two month hiatus here in Goleta. We have just a couple of hundred this year, but they are such stunning creatures! I love to try and photograph them in flight which is tricky in the low light of their preferred eucalyptus grove. I’ve lightened up the photos a bit to compensate for the light but the rich colors of these beauties need little embellishment.
Dec 16, 2018 17:40:13 #
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Dec 16, 2018 17:59:21 #
They are simply the most beautiful creatures and magical indeed. When it is warm (over 65 degrees) they fly around looking for nectar and land on us......they make the most unique sound.
Dec 16, 2018 18:00:30 #
Thank-you for planting milkweed!!! We get monarchs here in the Monterey Bay area but also far fewer than before. We really need to do something about climate change before we loose any more beautiful creatures.
Dec 16, 2018 18:05:42 #
Great shots, during the fall we had quite a few around the grounds of the Correctional Facility that I work at in the Mid Hudson valley of NY State, I work as an outside patrol officer in a Ford F150 4x4 a perk that I got after 35 years on the job, we have deer, wild turkeys and different kinds of hawks with a bald eagle from time to time.
Dec 16, 2018 18:15:12 #
It must be beautiful there in the Hudson Valley.......I think your monarchs winter in Mexico. Ours are from the Colorado area west of the Rockies, wintering in Pacific Grove, Pismo Beach and here....probably in Southern California, too.
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