Travelers

Throughout the year, in addition to big mammals and birds, we witness some small and fascinating animals such as the Monarch butterflies overwintering in California. Migrating up to a thousand miles or more to escape northern winters, they spend the cold season in Mexico or along the sheltered California coast. “The butterflies form dense clusters with each one hanging with its wing down over the one below it to form a shingle effect. This provides shelter from the rain and warmth for the group. The weight of the cluster help keeps it from whipping in the wind and dislodging the butterflies.”

If the warming sun comes out they will start fluttering around and it’s like being in a glittery orange snow globe. The effect is magical!

All Photographs © 2019 Sharon Lobel Photography or John Grusd Photography. All Rights Reserved.