Finding a cluster of Monarchs is a thrill and on Tuesday I was lucky enough to experience this when walking across a park.
At first I noticed a male Monarch on the grass ahead, with its wings wide open enjoying the sun. As I drew closer he flew across the park towards a mess of plants growing beside the small stream. Camera in hand I followed.
There I noticed several Monarch sunning themselves on the leaves, while others few about. They interacted by settling on the plants near to one another, then flew up and about around the plants and trees. I followed the flight of one Monarch as it flew higher and higher to the top of a large Bottlebrush Tree.
Then I saw them - dozens of them - swirling and twisting together - flying high and then coming in to land on the Bottlebrush flowers and leaves.
What a glorious sight.