A couple of years ago, I was able to watch an educational video about the migration patterns of the Monarch Butterfly. It was fascinating. Since I was going to be spending the weekend on the Monterey Peninsula, it only made sense to take a short detour to the ocean-side town of Pacific Grove to see one of the wintering spots of the Monarchs.
The magnificent Monarchs travel from their winter homes all the way north to central Canada over the course of three generations. The third generation, referred to as the super-generation, is physically stronger and has greater endurance than it's parent and grandparent. This endurance is used to allow this third generation to return to it's nesting spot far south of the blustering Canadian winds.
Finding a parking spot, I join numerous other people as we walk through the residential area to a small open area loaded with trees. On the dangling branches of some of these trees, hundreds or perhaps thousands of beautiful orange Monarch Butterflies crowd together for warmth. Interestingly, the branches they choose are the ones that seem to be getting the most direct sunlight, which makes sense. The creatures come here to winter and it seems only logical to take advantage of every way possible to keep warm.
Apparently, this is a light year or perhaps it's just a bad day, as population here at the sanctuary today is much lighter than at other times. It's still quite a site to see though and I'm glad I took the short drive to visit this place.
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