The Monarchs are Here!
courtesy of unsplash.com
One day recently a group of senior hikers from the Sierra Club walked along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, California to visit a Monarch butterfly reserve that is part of Natural Bridges State Park.
It was one of the highlights of my year–as it is every year on this annual trek. The Monarchs were there by the thousands, flitting from tree to tree and in between. The temperature was just right–well above 55°F degrees or they wouldn’t be able to fly. They can’t even crawl below 41°F. So our timing was just right.
Groups of school children in their matching t-shirts crowded around the site where a park ranger held their rapt attention as she shared details about these beautiful creatures that fascinate people of all ages.
We had a blue-sky day and a leader who knows about all things related to the Monarch so we seniors had our own special guide.
It is on days like this that I am especially grateful to my parents who taught us kids to appreciate nature, wildlife, insects, and all manner of life in all its forms. How blessed I am, as well, to live in a state that respects God’s creatures and protects them.
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Hi Karen, Excellent blog. I do so enjoy nature and being out in God’s creation. What a blessing. How can anyone look at His creation and say, “There is no God.” It baffles the mind. This is how God speaks to me many times when I am writing. All truth is parallel. For every natural truth, there is an equal and corresponding spiritual truth. I’ve written many blogs on this truth. I think that God speaks to us through His creation. I know he does through me anyway. Bless you Karen.
Jim
Hi Jim. Always good to hear from you. Yes, God speaks to me through nature more than any other place.
Good Afternoon, Karen. Thank you for sharing your experience about the Monarch butterfly. I wonder how they got their name. John and I visited a place in Pacific Grove. Really amazing to see all the Monarch fluttering around. Another example of the hand of God and all that He has created.
I wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving. I will be out of town for Thanksgiving – will be with family.
Thanks, Joan. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. We all have so much to be grateful for.
How delightful. I would like to see that someday!
It’s quite a spectacular sight. I hope you do get to see it someday.
Oh, I love this time of year ! I must get out and see them soon. I love that scripture verse!!! Thanks for the reminder!!
You’re very welcome.
Fantastic Karen! Let’s check on these beauties when we are in Santa Cruz the week between Christmas and New Year together!! That would be fun!!
Yes, let’s do that walk, Kathleen. It is so inspirational.
I love Butterflies! I have a good friend here that has a lot of trees, and flowers in her back yard and she has more butterflies than I can imagine always flying around! She takes a lot of photos of them and of the little squirrels who sit on the fence and eat Hibiscus blossoms!! It is amazing to see this beauty in her yard!
Thanks for the photo here! So glad you got to go on this trail!!
Love to you, Margaret
Thanks, Margaret. There is nothing quite as special and peaceful as nature. Your friend’s yard sounds so lovely.
The Monarchs are such a beautiful and amazing sight, Karen. I’m so glad you were able to enjoy them and see the beauty of God’s creation in them. Thank you for this lovely post.
Thank you, Carol. I think you and Don would love this sight at Natural Bridges State Park.
It is so wonderful to see and think about the strength and fortitude these beautiful creators have. They start life crawling on the ground then turn into the majesty God wants us to see in His glory. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for your comment, Lynn. It’s lovely to hear from you and to learn that you too, admire the ‘strength and fortitude’ of these beautiful creatures.