Maybe Hope for Monarchs

[brewmaster15]

Today was at Hammonasset Beach State Park and was amazed by thousands of Monarchs. They were everywhere, but particularly on the Groundsel Trees and Seaside Golden Rod (Solidago sempervirens) I have not seen very many this summer at all so was thrilled to see so many staging here for their migration . I have never seen so many Monarchs in one place. This park is on the Long Island Sound between CT and Long Island NY and is a huge stop over for migrating Birds as well. With the hurricane offshore it was windy there and they were mostly hanging on or being carried a bit by the wind. Not easy to photo like that with a telephoto lens.


Monarch Butterfly( (Danaus plexippus) on Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia)

Monarch Butterfly( (Danaus plexippus) on Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Monarch Butterfly( (Danaus plexippus) on Seaside Golden Rod (Solidago sempervirens) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Monarch Butterfly( (Danaus plexippus) on Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Monarch Butterfly( (Danaus plexippus) on Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Monarch Butterfly( (Danaus plexippus) on Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Monarch Butterfly( (Danaus plexippus) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


I hope these beauties make it safe to the wintering grounds and then back to breed..its such a long dangerous journey.

al

[Iminit]

Yes it been a lean year for monarch’s here. 3 total but only one of those Monarchs. May be the weather has them north longer. Guess I’ll see in the next few weeks.