At First, It Looks Like Someone Really Needs To Rake Their Yard. Then… Whoa! Holy COW!
By just glancing at these pictures, you’d think that you were looking at some kind of leaf-covered backyard. It’s not that uncommon to look at out a lawn and see a scattering of dark-orange leaves leftover from the last fall. Or maybe there’s some kind of strange foliage covering the ground? The truth of it, though, is something you’d probably never guess. It’s way cooler than just a bunch of leaves.
Check it out.
It’s hard to tell what exactly is covering the ground here…
citizenshift.org
Even when you zoom in a little, it’s not clear.
northernwall.blogspot.in
Are those mushrooms? Moss? Leaves?
learner.org
Hint: it’s none of those things.
learner.org
Those are butterflies!
learner.org
Monarch butterflies, to be exact, during their migration.
Flickr / kngfu
Monarchs are known for their yearly migration over long distances.
In North America, they make massive southward migrations starting in August until the first frost. Then, there is a northward migration in the spring.
worldwildlife.org
No individual butterfly actually ever completes a round-trip migration.
photography.nationalgeographic.com
The length of these journeys exceeds the normal lifespan of most monarchs, so the butterflies pass the torch to the younger generations.
Flickr / jmhpics
It’s overwhelming to think what these tiny, beautiful creatures do every year.
Flickr / davrozs
Flickr / lunasinestrellas
The Monarch butterfly and their yearly migrations is just one of those many things on this earth that seem simple, but are absolutely stunning. How do the butterflies know where to go every year, especially when no one butterfly makes it through the entire journey?
Via Amusing Planet
Share this beautiful, but mind boggling, story with others. Mother Nature is awesome.
