Monarch Butterfly Preserve in Santa Cruz by yooperprof
Natural Bridges State Park is California's only official Monarch Butterfly Preserve. It is in an important place on the migratory path of monarchs as they fly south toward Mexico along the coastline. The fall is the best time to see dense concentrations of the beautiful "danaus plexippus": "Starting early in October, the Monarch Butterfly arrives in this area on its yearly migration from the colder Northern nesting grounds. It gathers in clusters in Eucalyptus trees from which it flies in search of food on days when the temperature is above 55 degrees. At temperatures below this a dislodged Monarch may fall victim to insects or field mice since it cannot fly. The monarchs may remain here until March when the warmer days trigger a Northeasterly return migration."Really, Monarch Butterfly migration is one of the marvels of nature.
