The weather has turned warm and calm, a good prescription for seeing butterflies. In this case, Craig Tooley photographed the king of butterflies, a Monarch.
I reported Craig's sighting to Journey North, a citizen science website where they track the migrations of various animals, including Monarchs. You can participate at this link: https://journeynorth.org/monarchs
To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com
Paul Brewer photographed this beautiful Monarch resting on a geranium.
The winds shifted a bit yesterday, bringing smoke to the coast. Not as bad as a week ago when Paul took this eerie photo of the sun.
Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/
We are doing our best rain dance. Want to join in?
This is the time of year we have daily sightings of Monarch Butterflies. These are the members of the Methuselah generation, the longer-lived butterflies that will migrate south. They are feeding and gathering strength for their migration. I saw this one feeding on my abelia bush and then resting on a nearby leaf.
Catherine Miller photographed this Monarch feeding on her lantana.
Today is the autumnal equinox. What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons with photos of Monarch Butterflies.
Thanks to Catherine for allowing me to share her photo with you here. Happy autumn, everyone!
This is the time of year when the fall migration of Monarch butterflies occurs. I have seen one or two nearly every time the sun comes out and warms things up. I am always thrilled to see one. Barbara Rice sent in photos of a male and a female Monarch. The male, shown below, has two dark scent spots on its lower wings. Can you see them?
The female does not have these two spots.
This generation of Monarchs is called the Methuselah generation. They are the ones who migrate, and they live seven months.
Here's a photo taken by Craig Tooley that appears in our book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year. Looks like it's a female!
Thanks to Barbara for sending in the first two photos, and to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: www.ruffimage.com
We have a lovely bush growing against the house called abelia. It flowers for months. Bees love it, as do hummingbirds. And the Monarchs love it too. I saw a Monarch fly to it earlier today.
Monarchs are migrating through our area now, heading south. These are the long-lived generation, the Methusalah generation.
Here is a close-up of a Monarch, taken by Clay Yale.
To track the migration of Monarchs, here is the link to Journey North: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/ This is a citizen science website where people like me and you can share our sightings. They track many creatures, including hummingbirds and gray whales. Join in the fun!
Thanks to Clay for allowing me to share his photo with you here.