Carol DM
I could not believe my eyes this morning. Out drinking my coffee, like most mornings. I saw a butterfly on my butterfly bush. Not just any butterfly but a Monarch butterfly. Grabbed my camera and went to snap some photos. I was amazed at the moment I had. As I stood there waiting for the best photo, there were three Monarchs fluttering around me, circling all around me. This went on for a couple of minutes. Just fluttering around me, as if to say hello, how are you this morning. I said hello to Dustin, my Mom and my Dad.
The annual migration of North America’s monarch butterfly is a unique and amazing phenomenon. The monarch is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do. Unlike other butterflies that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults in some species, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates. Using environmental cues, the monarchs know when it is time to travel south for the winter. Monarchs use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home.
Nature is beyond amazing, right?
All Photos ©CarolDM2018
365 Photos Challenge Day 355
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Did you know Monarchs migrate south each year?
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Yes
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No
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Great shot … I did not know that
Thanks, I love learning about nature.
I love it when the pass us. Lovely shot Carol! He looks so new.
This one was taken with my Nikon, a lot better photo. I had the camera out for the birds and spotted this butterfly. Thanks Kim. I hope you get some pics when they come your way.
Gorgeous captures! I think I have heard it before, but I wasn’t sure until your post reminded me of that.
Thanks Ellie, surely you have heard about it.
I have seen this exact same butterfly many times on the East coast in South Africa
That is great, so they are all over the world. Amazing!
Carol, you’re like a walking encyclopedia.
You are so funny. The last comment from Albert was quoted. But I love learning about the nature around me.
I don’t understand why they got that name, but they really deserve it. About the only known butterfly that migrates, this is new knowledge for me. Great post!
Do you mean the name Monarch? Yes they are like birds with their migration. Amazing how they remember the way. Like hummingbirds, they do the same thing. And they come back!
Research says… The name “monarch” is believed to be given in honor of King William III of England, whose secondary title Prince of Orange makes a reference to the butterfly’s main color. The monarch was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in his Systema Naturae of 1758 and placed in the genus Papilio. In 1780, Jan Krzysztof Kluk used the monarch as the type species for a new genus Danaus.
Hmmm… It’s great that you know much about it, Carol. Thanks for the knowledge.
You are welcome, it is amazing to learn about what is around me.
If not blue, then this color rocks. How I wish you would tell where those are found.
These are in my backyard. Most all of my photos are taken in my backyard garden.
I love the colours of the butterfly! I think it’s the most common one I’ve seen. Lovely! They remind me of happiness and freedom
Thank you, i always love seeing these and they are not common in my yard. Very special.