There are few things these days that truly take us by surprise with the invention of search databases and video databases where you can see anything from around the world right in the safety of your home, no matter how extreme or unthought of. Don't get me wrong, I fully appreciate all these modern-day tools tools, especially being a photographer addicted to travel and seeing all those amazing, exotic places that I could never afford to go to like the Galapagos Islands.
But sometimes you just need to get out in the fresh air and experience some natural wonders for yourself. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the results. And that's just what I did this last Sunday after hearing from my Uncle in Simi Valley that there was a Monarch Butterfly Preserve right in my backyard. I've always heard there were some of those around my area but never took the leap to actually get to one because they always seemed too far away and unreachable. Well this one was definitely within reach and I had to see for myself what 50,000 Monarch Butterflies looked like all up in one area of trees.
When I finally saw those first groups of butterflies dangling down looking like huge clusters of leaves I couldn't believe how much they looked just like the ones shown on Planet Earth! BUT, there was so much more to it than that. I could stand under the towering Eucalyptus trees and take in the mass of Monarch Butterflies fluttering around, hearing the incredible sound that thousands of their determined little wings flapping together makes. Seeing the end result of their remarkable migration will always mean so much more now that I've experienced it for myself, truly taking it all in. I have my photographs to help preserve those extraordinary memories that I'm sharing with you all, only to inspire your own exploration of this phenomena and share in the breathtaking beauty of nature at its best! ~ KCP
Monarch Butterfly Preserve - Images by Kimberly C. Park
