Posts Tagged: Pacific Grove

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)

A Mid-Life Chrysalis

A mid-life chrysalis? Well, maybe not mid-life, but definitely out of season. A female monarch butterfly eclosed today in our little indoor butterfly habitat. Two weeks ago, we “rescued” the caterpillar from a narrow-leafed milkweed plant...

Moment of freedom--a female monarch is released. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Moment of freedom--a female monarch is released. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

This was the scene inside the butterfly habitat before her release. Note the chrysalis next to her. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

This was the scene inside the butterfly habitat before her release. Note the chrysalis next to her. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

In the late afternoon, this monarch found a place to roost for the night--on an African blue basil. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

In the late afternoon, this monarch found a place to roost for the night--on an African blue basil. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Welcome Back, Monarchs!

It will be a monarch-kind of day.   And why not?   Monarch enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the "Welcome Back Monarchs Day" on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Natural Bridges State Park, 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.  Some 500 monarchs...

A monarch lands on a Mexican sunflower (Tithonia) in Vacaville, Calif. It may head to an overwintering site in Santa Cruz. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A monarch lands on a Mexican sunflower (Tithonia) in Vacaville, Calif. It may head to an overwintering site in Santa Cruz. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The monarch adjusts its position. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The monarch adjusts its position. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The monarch continues to feed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The monarch continues to feed. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The majestic monarch in all its glory. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The majestic monarch in all its glory. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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