Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Toronto Wildlife => Topic started by: Halton Hills on August 28, 2018, 08:16:30 AM

Title: Monarch Butterflies
Post by: Halton Hills on August 28, 2018, 08:16:30 AM

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The mass exodus is in full swing.....  :D

Hundreds of newborn Monarchs are passing through my yard every day on their epic journey to Mexico....  :shock:

And each evening the new arrivals set up shop and roost in our group of big Walnut trees.

Overnight..... the branches are literally dripping with butterflies..... it is so cool....  8)

These are the "lucky" ones that live for 7 months..... as opposed to the usual short 2 to 5 week lifespan of their parents and grand parents before them.

The price they pay for that longevity is a multi thousand kilometer journey south.

Here are some pictures from last night....  :mrgreen:


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(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h235/T_Bone_1962/Monarch%201.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/T_Bone_1962/media/Monarch%201.jpg.html)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h235/T_Bone_1962/Monarch%203.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/T_Bone_1962/media/Monarch%203.jpg.html)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h235/T_Bone_1962/Monarch%204.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/T_Bone_1962/media/Monarch%204.jpg.html)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h235/T_Bone_1962/Monarch%202.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/T_Bone_1962/media/Monarch%202.jpg.html)


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Title: Re: Monarch Butterflies
Post by: Ally on August 28, 2018, 11:01:52 AM

Wow, that looks soooooo cool. Amazing of life!

Title: Re: Monarch Butterflies
Post by: Dinusaur on August 30, 2018, 08:36:38 PM

This is indeed amazing; what a sight this has been. Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Monarch Butterflies
Post by: Halton Hills on August 31, 2018, 07:09:25 AM

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Yep..... it has been quite magical..... I'm happy to pass it along....  :D


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Title: Re: Monarch Butterflies
Post by: Shortsighted on August 31, 2018, 10:00:46 AM

I'm wondering. Do they have a permit to assemble like that?
Something nefarious must be in play.
Terrific shot, but I'm also wondering how much more might have been
part of that group some years ago. Will that sight ever be seen a decade
from now.

Title: Re: Monarch Butterflies
Post by: Howieh on September 04, 2018, 05:39:27 PM

"Nefarious", the answer to a trivia question, does anybody know (or care?) what it is?

Btw, based on what I have been seeing and hearing, I think there will some pretty good roosts in a few favored locations along the lakeshore during mid September. My favorite spots include the Leslie Spit, Ashbridges Bay, Humber Bay (east park) and Colonel Sam Park.