Tag Archives: Monarch Butterfly

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On Sunday Mel Smith found this Monarch nectaring on a butterfly bush in Point Arena.

And Chris Pechal found two Monarchs at The Sea Ranch. In the photo on the left, you can tell it's a male Monarch because of the two black dots on its lower wings. He is nectaring on thistle. In the other photo, the beautiful Monarch is nectaring on Coyote Bush.

These Monarchs come to the coast to feed before their journey to their overwintering sites. They live approximately seven months, and are called the Methuselah generation. We hope to see many more Monarchs in the days ahead.

Thanks to Mel and Chris for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Warm today - no fog at all. It's a spectacular autumn day!

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Adrian Adams photographed this beautiful Anise Swallowtail Butterfly feeding on marigolds in his The Sea Ranch garden - a vision of loveliness.

Monarchs continue to arrive on coast where they feed before migrating southward. Rozanne Rapozo recently photographed one of these magnificent butterflies.

Thanks to Adrian and Rozanne for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are having another warm autumn day, and the Pacific Ocean is roaring. On my drive down to the radio station, KGUA, in Gualala this morning for my monthly Sightings talk with host Peggy Berryhill, ocean mist was spilling across the highway. On the east side, the morning sun created multiple sunbeams through the trees. The combination was amazing to see.

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California Sisters seems to be having a good year, as sightings continue to pour in. I saw several this morning, feeding on various flowers on the deck. Perry Hoffman recently photographed one up on the Gualala Ridge.

Monarchs are arriving now, such a pleasure. Perry photographed one at the same location as the CA Sister.

Thanks to Perry for allowing me to share his photos with you here. Perry will be showing some of his varied artwork at the Coast Highway Art Collective. See below for info!

It's warming up today! The next few days will be quite warm. Should be a chance to see a green flash at sunset with no fog on the horizon.

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To see a beautiful Monarch Butterfly in winter means we have a few overwintering Monarchs here, which is very good news. Judith Fisher recently spotted this Monarch at Gualala Point Regional Park.

And in Timber Cove Grace O'Malley had this Monarch feeding on her Pride of Madeira bush.

Monarch Butterflies used to overwinter on the Mendonoma Coast but their numbers have been in a tailspin...until this past autumn/winter, where Monarchs have been seen in much larger numbers. Fingers crossed and recrossed that these beauties will thrive in the future.

Thanks to Judith and Grace for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Unseasonably warm here today. 73 degrees this afternoon with low humidity. This isn't January weather...is it? Scott and Tree Mercer are seeing lots of Gray Whales headed south. They are a ways out, two to four miles, so binoculars are very helpful.

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We usually see many Monarchs in the autumn here on the Mendonoma Coast. But sightings this year have been few and far between - not good news for these beautiful butterflies. However, Molly McKusick found this one at The Sea Ranch.

And Grace O'Malley photographed this one in Timber Cove.

I saw a large orange butterfly this morning from my house, but it was too far to confirm if it was a Monarch, but I'd like to believe it was!

Thanks to Molly and Grace for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Another clear, dry day, with mild temperatures. Thank goodness we had those two storms before this high pressure system moved back in. Last night there was a green flash at sunset, and conditions for one tonight look very promising.