The Monarch butterfly is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. It is easily recognizable by its bright orange-red wings, with black veins and white spots along the edges. The Monarch butterfly is famous for its southward migration from Canada to Mexico and the northward return back to Canada in summer. Every fall, millions of these butterflies fly west to their wintering grounds in California and Mexico, covering the trees there with their bright shimmering wings. |
These butterflies congregate into colonies and become almost a canopy around trees. In many cases, they are so thick that the trees turn orange in color and branches sag from the weight. It’s a remarkable sight that attracts scores of tourists each year. |
The Monarch butterfly is the only butterflies that migrate like birds do - going both north and south. However, no single butterfly lives to see the whole journey as migrations usually span 3-4 generations of the short-lived insect. It is also one of the only insects to cross the Atlantic.
|
The Monarch Butterflies travel between 1,200-2,800 miles, from Canada to the central Mexican forests, where the climate is warmer. |
Submitted by user: Nora L.
Related Articles (Collections):
Butterfly and Moth Photo Galleries
Stunning Photos of Wild Animals
Beautiful and Weird Sea Creatures
A Stunning Bird Photography Collection
The Most Beautiful Trees and Forests
Nature Always Finds a Way – 13 Powerful Pics
Enjoy these amazing pictures showing the power and beauty of Mother Nature.
20 Breathtaking Photos of Our Crazy Beautiful Planet
Sit back and enjoy some gorgeous photos from around the world.
These Photos Have Amazed the World...
From the epic majesty of our galaxy to the pure, simple beauty of a tortoise interacting with a butterfly, these photos are wonderful.
Meet 10 of Australia’s Scariest Inhabitants
Here’s proof that Australia has some of the scariest creatures.
14 Incredible Sights from the Mighty Andes
We have curated a stunning collection of photos that showcase one of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on Earth.
This Photo Contest Celebrates the Majesty of Mountains
Check out the amazing winning images from the 2021 International Photography Contest of Mountain Activity.
15 Magical Pics Presenting Nature in Its Finest Glory
Take a look at this magnificent collection of nature pictures that will transport you to a different world.
GUIDE: 15 of the Smallest, Sweetest Dog Breeds
If you're interested in meeting some of the smallest and cutest dog breeds in the world, check out these 15 breeds.
You Won't Believe How a Walk in Nature Affects Our Brain
I was absolutely shocked to discover just how beneficial a walk in nature is for the brain. And upon reading #2 and #4, I couldn't wait to put my walking boots on and hit the park.
These X-ray Photos of Pregnant Animals Will Intrigue You
A collection of X-rays taken of pregnant animals.
These Animal Facts Are Both Adorable and Interesting
Twenty fascinating animal facts that we bet you never knew about!
9 Fragrant Roses to Fill Your Garden with Pleasing Aromas
Check out this list of some intensely aromatic roses that will flood your garden area with delightful smells.
Have You Ever Seen Birds More Stunning than These?
Among all species, birds are perhaps the prettiest. Take a look at the world's most beautiful birds:
These Gardens Will Inspire You to Pay them a Visit
Take a walk through some of the most beautiful gardens from around the world.
These Transformations from Summer to Winter Will Amaze You
These stunning photographs show some of the world's most beautiful places before and after the arrival of winter. Check them out, you won't be disappointed!
In Pictures - International Garden Photographer of the Year
Take a look at the stunning nature photographs from the International Garden Photographer of the Year.
War of the Carnivores: Full Length Wildlife Documentary
These fierce warriors contest each other in a raw, untamed spectacle of survival, where every moment counts. Brace yourselves, the battle begins.
WOW! How Can These Places Be Real? (18 Pics)
Enjoy this breathtaking collection of pictures of the most beautiful places on our planet.
A Huddle is a Cute Thing. A BIRD Huddle is Just the Cutest!
A huddle is a cute thing. A BIRD huddle is the cutest!
10 Amazing Facts of Nature that Are Too Weird to Believe
Bizarre natural phenomena, creatures, plants and minerals. Here are some amazing and interesting things courtesy of nature to astound you
14 Plants in the Most Artful, Unique, and Quirky Pots
These perfectly-paired pots and plants will light up any garden.
Hummingbirds Come in the Most Beautiful Rainbow Colors!
There are hundreds of gorgeous species of hummingbirds. Have you spotted any of these near you?
Nature Is Full of Mystery When You Look at These Photos
Take a look at these amazing photos of nature which depict so much mystery.
This Incredible Video Takes You Swimming With a Polar Bear
Go on a swim right next to one of the world's biggest apex predators.
The Animal Kingdom Now Has the Photographer it Deserves
Sergey Polyushko could be one of the world's finest animal photographers in history. Just look at these 17 fantastic snaps.
10 Beautiful Horse Breeds Everyone Needs to Know About
We humans owe horses so much thanks to the role they've played in human history. These are probably the 10 most interesting breeds of all.
Nature: How Animals Evolved Head Weapons
The history of animal head weapons is diverse and fascinating.
The Most Beautiful Birds in the World Are in Costa Rica
The Jungles of Costa Rica are rich in beautiful animal life, none more beautiful than the many birds that call it home.
10 Horses That'll Astound You With Their Beauty
Man and horse have had a natural companionship for centuries. Here are 10 of the world's most beautiful horses.
15 Charming Close-Ups of Cold-Blooded Creatures
You've never seen lizards, snakes, or frogs like this before.
I Never Thought Such Animals Existed. Wow.
Nature can be beautiful, but it can also be rather strange, especially when you see THESE animals. Most of them are endangered animals, living only in the smallest and most remote places on earth.
There Are Exquisite, Colorful Trees Growing in Japan...
Japan is more than Japanese culture, it is also a land of unspeakable natural beauty as you can see in these beautiful photos of japan's nature.
The Internet's Burning Questions About Biology, Answered
Watch biologist Thor Hanson answer some fascinating questions about biology in this video.
This Botanical Garden in Pennsylvania Is Out of This World
Take a look at these terrific photos of stunning Botanical garden, Longwood Gardens.
Extreme Alternative Agriculture: Growing Basil Underwater
Join us on a swim to Nemo’s Garden, a hydroponic garden at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.
True Friendship Survives Beyond Time - Beautiful!
Gorilla Reunites With Carer 5 Years Later...
Sloths: Masters of Slow-Motion Evolution
The sloth is much more interesting than you ever realized.
The Colors of Nature Are Truly Spectacular
Sometimes, those that differ from the crowd shine the brightest, as these unique brightly-colored animals prove.
Hilarious Nature: True Facts About Elephants!
Come with us as we explore this huge mammal, make some jokes and meet one of the smartest and most fascinating of all animals, the elephant.
A Wonderful Collection of Flowers, Beauty and Color
This is BabaMail's Ultimate Floral Post collection. We've selected 12 of the best articles, photo-series and videos from our website for you to enjoy.
Did You Know Earwigs Could Fly? Watch It Slow Motion
Earwigs are not the cutest insects, but they have a cool trick up their sleeves!
10 Vegetables and Plants You Can Grow in the Fall
Just because we're approaching fall it doesn't mean you should hang up your gardening gloves. There's still plenty of things you can plant in your garden.
A Photo Guide to Beautiful Birds of Prey
A comprehensive photo-guide of common and rare birds of prey.
These 40 Beautiful Birds Were Perfectly Photographed
40 great bird photographs taken in Taiwan by the well-known Taiwanese photographers John and Fish
Are These the Coolest 70 Year Olds Ever?
These women have made their livelihoods by hunting sea snakes on the coast of their island.
National Geographic's Photography Never Ceases to Amaze
National Geographic never ceases to amaze us with the photos it shows us, and the 20 images you're about to see here are no exception.