Posts Tagged: migrating monarchs

A Monarch Named Henry on 'Hello Yellow'

Meet Henry, "an unexpected guest." Make that "an early, unexpected guest who was given a warm welcome and an even warmer send-off." Henry is a Marin County winter monarch butterfly. Winter monarchs are becoming more and more common in the Bay Area and...

This is Henry as a winter monarch caterpillar found in the front yard of Karen Gideon, Greenbrae. It was feasting on her milkweed, “Hello Yellow” Asclepias tuberosa, native to eastern and southwestern North America. (Photo by Karen Gideon)

This is Henry as a winter monarch caterpillar found in the front yard of Karen Gideon, Greenbrae. It was feasting on her milkweed, “Hello Yellow” Asclepias tuberosa, native to eastern and southwestern North America. (Photo by Karen Gideon)

Henry as a chrysalis attached to Alanna Brady's teak birdhouse. (Photo by Alanna Brady)

Henry as a chrysalis attached to Alanna Brady's teak birdhouse. (Photo by Alanna Brady)

Henry as a newly eclosed monarch butterfly drying his wings. (Photo by Alanna Brady)

Henry as a newly eclosed monarch butterfly drying his wings. (Photo by Alanna Brady)

Henry spreads his wings. (Photo by Alanna Brady)

Henry spreads his wings. (Photo by Alanna Brady)

David James' Incredible Research on Migratory Monarchs

Newly published research by entomologist David James of Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., in the Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society yielded incredible news about the monarch population that migrates from the Pacific Northwest to...

This male monarch, released by citizen scientist Steve Johnson of Ashland on Aug. 28, 2016, fluttered into Vacaville, Calif., on Sept. 5, a 457-kilometer journey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

This male monarch, released by citizen scientist Steve Johnson of Ashland on Aug. 28, 2016, fluttered into Vacaville, Calif., on Sept. 5, a 457-kilometer journey. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The male monarch, No. 6093, sips nectar from a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia on Sept. 5, 2016. It traveled 457 kilometers from Ashland to Vacaville. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The male monarch, No. 6093, sips nectar from a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia on Sept. 5, 2016. It traveled 457 kilometers from Ashland to Vacaville. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A feast! This migrating monarch from Ashland, Ore., sipped nectar from a butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A feast! This migrating monarch from Ashland, Ore., sipped nectar from a butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

WSU entomologist David James, wearing a monarch t-shirt, with citizen-scientist inmates at Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla.

WSU entomologist David James, wearing a monarch t-shirt, with citizen-scientist inmates at Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla.

Monarchs overwintering in the Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, in 2016. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Monarchs overwintering in the Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, in 2016. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Just Like a Painting

Western monarchs are on the move. In the Pacific Northwest, they're heading for coastal California, including Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove, for their overwintering spots. A few are tagged. Washington State University entomologist David James and his...

A male monarch nectaring on a Mexican sunflower in a scene that looks like a painting. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A male monarch nectaring on a Mexican sunflower in a scene that looks like a painting. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The male monarch spreads his wings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The male monarch spreads his wings. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A female monarch lands on the Tithonia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A female monarch lands on the Tithonia. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The female flutters away, off to an overwintering site, perhaps in Santa Cruz. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The female flutters away, off to an overwintering site, perhaps in Santa Cruz. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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