Big Sur Monarch Butterflies

Big Sur is home to a migrant population of the beautiful Monarch butterflies. They arrive in October from their summer territories far inland. An extensive tagging program has revealed that these incredible creatures can travel up to 3,000 miles on their migration routes.

Eucalyptus trees are their favored roosting spot. In the mornings they cluster there in colorful clumps, waiting for the day to warm up. At temperatures below the mid-sixties, their flight patterns are erratic. When the air warms into the high sixties and warmer, they can fly a straight path. In the evening they return to their favorite trees and drink nectar, rest and conduct romances all night. A female Monarch may mate with many males, but only the final fellow's gift will be a lasting one!

 

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