The Monarch Butterfly is the king of the insect world. Even though they are small creatures, they do phenomenal things. First, they develop from tiny eggs, to a caterpillar, become a chrysalis, and finally transform into a beautiful butterfly. They migrate, traveling great distances to over winter in a temperate climate. Amazingly enough, not one butterfly makes the entire round-trip journey. Winter butterflies are sluggish and do not reproduce. In spring they return to summer homes and breed along the way. Their offspring return to the starting point.
The Monarch is a poisonous butterfly. Animals that eat a Monarch get very sick and vomit (but generally do not die). These animals remember that this brightly-colored butterfly made them very sick and will avoid all Monarchs in the future. The Monarch gets its poison from eating the poisonous milkweed plant while in its caterpillar stage.

very interesting story, I see never ending my learning english!your pictures are so pretty, but the story about them is even more interesting.super done! gonia · 2010-09-12: 15:03

Beautiful set! :)) Goldbrandi · 2010-09-12: 15:30

Brilliant post awesome shots ! finbarr · 2010-09-12: 17:06

Stunning images - so original. I saved #1 as a favourite. Jarvo · 2010-09-12: 19:10

Fascinating.....they are attracted to your dream catcher!! Amazing captures, post and flight especially the first my favorite:)) nssco50 · 2010-09-13: 00:50

Terrific post and amazing shots!! ????? · 2010-09-13: 06:37

Excellent shots and great post!! Fascinating. RayNvb · 2010-09-13: 08:19

Very very beautiful set!!!!! my fav is #3:))))) ...and the fact that they are poisonous took me by surprise..!!!!! Thank you for sharing captures and information. skskz · 2010-09-13: 08:33

Surprised to see these beautiful butterflies. I've never seen them before in Japan. Yokai · 2010-09-13: 09:15

This is beautiful, but your text reminds me of one of the weaknesses of Darwinian theory - however Darwinian I may be: if it takes just one forgetful predator, what's the point of being poisonous... I did so enjoy these beautiful images. Thank you. revenant · 2010-09-13: 16:11

I also promise never to eat a Monarch butterfly. Ever. revenant · 2010-09-13: 16:12

splEndId! Thanks for sharing! davidcardona · 2010-09-13: 17:04

WOW these are great . the Monarch will soon be coming to Calif . went to see them last year . we had over 10,000 that year . Down from 15,000 the year before . ????? · 2010-09-13: 18:45

An excellent research work about an amazing animal!!! Fantastic set ! Gripe · 2010-09-13: 19:39

There's a place called 'Butterfly Palace" in Branson, Missouri, that has hundreds of live butterflies. A large poster there talks about the migration of the Monarch butterflies - it takes 7 generations to complete the migration. So if you bust out of your cocoon, how do you know whether you're going North or South? God does some amazing stuff! lgnelson · 2010-09-13: 22:41

so you ended really photographing the monarch butterfly! I really love it! looks so cute!:) onlyricky · 2010-09-14: 12:52

Great shots and info !! Thanks for sharing !! cd catdad · 2010-09-14: 15:35

Well we both posted Monarchs! Beautiful shots..and thanks so much for the information, I did not know they are poisonous...This one was so ragged he had been through some rough times! NellyBly · 2010-09-14: 16:00

Larry and I are fascinated with these beauties! We've seen IMAX films about them and there are as many as several million in one place and they literally coat the plants and ground! What a gorgeous sight! TFS this great information with your great images! djnana · 2010-09-14: 18:41

wonderful! the light in #4 is great :) juditrlydersen · 2010-09-15: 07:36

fantastic shots. storytaylor · 2010-09-15: 08:11

v nice! ????? · 2010-09-15: 10:35

EXCELLENT shots!!! vterezia · 2010-09-16: 02:37

Wow, Fabulous urmysunshine · 2010-09-17: 12:22

Beautiful captures! ????? · 2010-09-17: 15:47

They look gorgeous with the dream catcher! Very interesting facts. redro · 2010-09-17: 18:07

Wow. You seemed to be able to order them to stay where you wnt them to!!! Love the last one. huiching · 2010-09-19: 05:30

How beautiful! Enjoy the pics especially because we don`t have Monarchs here. justgood · 2010-09-19: 12:42

I wish these butterflies were in Europe... But they're not so lucky me that I have your photoblog! :) dreamie · 2010-09-20: 11:15

Wonderful photos! I like most #2! Contesina · 2010-09-25: 05:12

So interesting! I like #1 best. I saw a film about monarchs in Sony Wonders. ????? · 2010-09-27: 12:28

~~~~~~~~~~GREAT!!!~~~~~~~~~~~ vterezia · 2010-10-03: 19:28

such interesting creatures, so brilliently photographed.. ????? · 2010-10-18: 16:23

Thanks for the info and i like the first image. pickledherring · 2010-10-20: 04:11

Wonderful ! ... Voted ... :) breizh · 2012-02-25: 03:25

Tagged: butterflymonarchbutterfly insects nature