Monday, October 26, 2009

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)




Monarch Butterflies are probably the most liked and well-known species of butterfly in North America. So much information about them is available online, there's no need for me to duplicate it here. I'll just post my photos and a few links and call that a blog post.

  • BugGuide has many photos of the various stages in the Monarch's life cycle.
  • Journey North is an extensive site with migration maps, updates and other information. (The main Journey North site has similar information for several migrating species.)







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8 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You are right about them being the darlings of the butterfly world. They are beautiful, especially this time of year since they are dressed for fall. They are a good ambassador for the bug world.

Paula Werner Severo said...

such beautifull photos!.. It´s just amazing!.. Good to know your blog!

Q said...

The Monarch is a beautiful butterfly. I have some coming through my backyard and finding food on the butterfly bushes.
Always delightful catching up with you.
Sherry

AphotoAday said...

You know, Marvin, it's funny... When I was a little kid I lived in Pacific Grove, California, which proudly claimed to be Butterfly-Town USA...

Each Fall the school-children would dress up in Monarch costumes for a parade around town -- it really was quite a big deal...

Somehow we were indoctrinated that Pacific Grove was the ONLY place Monarchs migrated to -- and we swallowed the myth -- hook, line, and sinker...

But you know, Marvin, it was an amazing sight to see thousands of Monarchs hanging upside down clinging to pine needles in huge clusters...

Anyway, thanks for the links -- I'll have to check them out.

Marvin said...

Seeing thousands of Monarchs would, indeed, be an amazing sight, even if Pacific Grove isn't the only place Monarchs migrate to. All I've ever seen is scattered individuals migrating through.

Lana Gramlich said...

OMG...look at the texture you got in that top shot! How the HECK did you get that one???

Marvin said...

The texture belongs to the butterfly, though I was lucky in being able to get up really close and especially that the angle of the sun was just right to create slight shadows that emphasis the texture.

FAB said...

A superb image of this beautiful creature. FAB