Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Nature => Topic started by: Kris Ito on September 14, 2014, 09:22:39 PM

Title: Monarchs @ Leslie Spit
Post by: Kris Ito on September 14, 2014, 09:22:39 PM
Although the birding at the Spit today was pretty sweet, it was the gathering Monarchs that really took your breath away. Early this morning they were hanging from the poplar trees in large groups, with several trees holding easily over 200 butterflies each. Where they weren't clustered on trees, they were filling large fields of goldenrod, waiting for the sun to warm them up. Tough to estimate total numbers, but I would guess between 1500-2000. By lunch time they were scattered throughout the park. I only noticed a few other species: lots of Sulphurs, Cabbage Whites, and one each of Eastern Comma, Pearl Crescent, Mourning Cloak, and Painted Lady.  -kris

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/15055406900_4cd6f73462_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/oWoTX3)Monarchs (https://flic.kr/p/oWoTX3) by Kris Ito. Casual birder, inept photographer (https://www.flickr.com/people/95264878@N02/), on Flickr

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/15055384379_3fdfe73ed1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/oWoMfK)Monarchs (https://flic.kr/p/oWoMfK) by Kris Ito. Casual birder, inept photographer (https://www.flickr.com/people/95264878@N02/), on Flickr

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/15239059581_6dc2060303_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pdCauz)Monarch (https://flic.kr/p/pdCauz) by Kris Ito. Casual birder, inept photographer (https://www.flickr.com/people/95264878@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Monarchs @ Leslie Spit
Post by: thouc on September 14, 2014, 10:05:03 PM
A beautiful sight!
Title: Re: Monarchs @ Leslie Spit
Post by: paul_reeves on September 15, 2014, 05:08:55 AM
Very nice Kris.
Title: Re: Monarchs @ Leslie Spit
Post by: Rotarran on September 15, 2014, 08:56:44 AM
That's awesome.  Walter saw something similar at the Rosetta McClain Gardens or somewhere near there...check the hawk watch blog for more info.  It's great to see Monarchs doing so well.  I spent a bit of time at Downsview last night and saw a good number of them there as well.
Title: Re: Monarchs @ Leslie Spit
Post by: Walter Fisher on September 24, 2014, 10:44:50 PM
Excellent shots Kris!  So wonderful to see.  Walter