Tag Archives: Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Coming Through, One By One

October 7, 2025

Recently during the course of a day, if I’m lucky, I’ll see one, or if I’m really lucky I’ll see two Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) come flying through.

They’re looking for late blooming flowers to provide nectar which they need to fuel their long journey south and to build up fat reserves for the coming winter in the Oyamel Fir Forests of Mexico. Once they arrive at their winter home, they won’t eat anything, in a state of torpor, living off those fat reserves that they have built up during their migration.

I haven’t seen any today. Perhaps I won’t see any more this season. Really looking forward to seeing them next year.

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Monarchs Coming Through

September 23, 2025

A Monarch (Danaus plexippus) taking a quick break during its long migration, getting a sip of nectar this afternoon.

They’re coming through on their way to their winter home, the high-altitude fir forests of central Mexico.

The journey for the eastern segment of the Monarch population can involve traveling up to 2,500 to 3,000 miles, or even more. They travel, at the most, from Canada and the northern United States to Mexico. The western segment travels fewer miles, most of them spending the winter months along the southern California coast.

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