Field Note: Monarch Butterfly Migration Has Started

Each year between late summer and early autumn nature’s clockwork signals the annual migration of Monarch Butterflies from their northern homes across the United States and southern Canada to their winter home in central Mexico. To begin this epic journey of what can be more than 3,000 miles these precious “flowers with wings” can be found gathering together in fields, forests, wetlands and backyard gardens to load up on sweet, energy producing nectar from flowering plants rich in life sustaining sugars.

Monarch Butterfly Migration

 

Location Details & Camera Settings

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve is located approximate 20 miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA) and contains almost 100 wildflower varieties. Its rolling prairie grassland nudges up to forested tracks, wetlands and the Crow river forms the park’s western boundary. The park reserve offers miles of winding hiking and horse trails where visitors have a chance to observe a rich diversity of native plants and wildlife in their natural environment.

Camera Settings: Sony A7 IV - Focal Length 49 mm - Shutter Speed 1 /640 Sec - Aperture f/4..5 - ISO 100