Closeup of a Monarch Butterfly, Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, CA
Living in the San Francisco Bay area is a blessing for nature lovers. In close vicinity to one of the most populated areas bustling with technological creativity, there exist wild places allowing us to experience and enjoy nature and its marvels. The winter migration of Monarch butterflies is one such spectacle, part of which we can witness in our backyard, at the Natural Bridges State Park, near the city of Santa Cruz.
Every fall, the Monarch’s by sensing the change in temperature start migrating towards the warmer south. Butterflies east of the Rockies migrate to their sanctuaries in Mexico while the ones on the west come to Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove in California. Arriving by mid-October, they generally stay until March before flying back North. Being cold blooded, the Monarch’s are affected by ambient temperature. Only when the temperatures rise above 55F (13C), they start to fly around and forage for food. To keep warm during cold nights and early morning, the Monarch’s huddle in big groups and hang from Eucalyptus trees. An early morning visit to the preserve with a binocular (recommended) gives an excellent chance to catch them resting in the trees.
Monarch butterflies hang from a Eucalyptus tree in Natural Bridges State Park near Santa Cruz, CA
Such a big number of dormant butterflies attract predators such as a Stellar’s Jay. But thanks to the poisonous nature of the butterflies, the birds find them distasteful and generally spit them out after giving a try.
Apart from eating nuts, Stellar's Jay tries to get easy meal by attacking the dormant Monarch's. The bird's efforts are generally in vain because the butterflies are poisonous and distateful to the them
Warmed enough by sunshine, a large number of Monarch's break away and fly out when a Stellar's Jay disturbs the huddle for food
A female Monarch spreads her wings to gather warmth. Male butterflies have distinguishing black dots on their wings. In the background a mom shows her son the hanging butterflies. As expected, this place is popular with families and kids.
