Sunday, February 13, 2011

Natural Bridges and Monarch Butterflies

I thought I would break up the rose posts a little, and tell you about a trip we took yesterday to the Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz.

We go to the park every year to see monarch butterflies that come there on their annual migration from the Rocky Mountains.









The butterflies settle in eucalyptus groves which provide food (eucalyptus flower in winter) and shelter from the cool ocean breeze.


Thousands of monarchs assemble at the park from October to early February. We were thus at the tail end of this spectacular show, but we still saw quite a few. Walking along the Monarch Boardwalk among the towering eucalyptus trees with butterflies flying all around us was a magical experience.

I could get quite close to them too.


Having spent an hour looking up into the trees, we strolled to the beach to see an abundance of sea creatures under our feet.

Anemone in a tide pool


Natural Bridges beach is named for rock arches carved out of shoreline cliffs by the Pacific Ocean. Here is a glimpse of one of the three bridges along the coast.


This is a good spot to look out for seals, sea otters, and birds.


Shoreline cliffs are made of soft mudstone, and years of erosion and moss growth have created beautiful patterns that look like Nature's version of Monet.


The rocks a little closer to the tideline are completely covered with mussels. I should have brought a fork and a glass of Chablis.



I was so fascinated by this profusion of mollusks and sea anemones and starfish that I waded knee-deep into the water even though the average February ocean temperature in Santa Cruz is 54F. Ten minutes later my legs went into spasm, and I yelled to my husband to come to my rescue before I dropped the camera. I never thought I would be that crazy, all for the sake of a blog post!

Surf's up

30 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos. Thank you for taking us on this little tour. The colors of the ocean, and the anemones were just beautiful.

    Happy Valentine's Day ~ FlowerLady

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  2. Thank you, FlowerLady, and Happy Valentine's Day to you too.

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  3. It is amazing how those fragile looking Monarchs travel so far and fare so well. A marvel of design, to be sure.
    I can almost smell the ocean breeze and feel the spray.
    I'm glad you didn't drop the camera! I would really miss your great photos!
    Sandra

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  4. What a magnificent place! California has amazing natural beauty. Thank you for the tour.

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  5. Thank you, Sandra, and believe me, I am glad too:-).

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  6. Thank you, Sweetbay, for such a nice comment.

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  7. Dear Masha, I have so enjoyed looking at these marvellous photographs and going on a virtual tour with you. The story of the Monarch butterfly is indeed one of Nature's miracles and how wonderful that you are able to see them in such numbers.The seascapes you show are very dramatic and everything looks so beautiful set against the azure blue of the sky.

    Your weblog is now 'live' on Blotanical and as I have sponsored your acceptance on the site, I have been designated as your mentor. I have sent you a messageand hope that you will enjoy meeting lots of garden bloggers from all over the world. Welcome!

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  8. Thank you, Edith, for your nice comment and for becoming my mentor. I appreciate your generosity.

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  9. What a lovely discovery your blog is, Masha! Jack

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  10. I didn't know the monarchs congregated at Natural Bridges. Good to know. I've seen them down in Pacific Grove, and small groups used to cover trees near the UC storage library I worked at when i was a student. That last pic of the wave is great by the way

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  11. Thank you for the trip ! I enjoyed it so much ! Your photos are breathtaking.

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  12. Thank you, Jack, and I am so glad you liked my blog. I am happy to have discovered yours!

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  13. Thank you, Bradzio, I am glad to hear from you.

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  14. Merci, Isabelle, I am happy you liked them!

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  15. These are absolutely gorgeous photos. I hope many get to see Natural Bridges. What a delight.

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  16. Thank you so much for commenting on my blog, Donna. Natural Bridges is one of my favorite places to be in in winter. I am glad I got to share it.

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  17. Oh, what great images! Love those amenone especially!

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  18. Thank you, Tatyana. I love those too, and it was the first time they were not behind glass in an aquarium:-).

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  19. This entire post was enthralling. From the monarchs to the anemones, the bridge, and the mussels. It was a fascinating trip via photos.

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  20. Thank you, HolleyGarden, for your nice and well-written comment.

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  21. Oh Masha, I am so sorry about your legs! But Wow!! what amazing photos!! Stunning and so surreal really . . . the anemones . . . the colors. Gorgeous! The beach . . . what a setting. What a day! I love the textures and colors throughout and of course the striking Monarchs! I would be elated if I had taken in all these images front row. Thank you for enduring the cold to capture these unique moments with nature. As per your question about my camera. I am embarrassed really . . . my equipment is not very great. I do not have the telephoto I would love but hope to get a better one this year. I only have a 50-100 zoom lens. ;.)

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  22. Thank you, Carol, my legs recovered quickly:-). Your 50-100 lens is doing a great job capturing the birds. I would love some equipment upgrades too, but so far... too expensive. I am looking forward to seeing pictures you will take with your new lens although it is hard to believe they can be any better than now.

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  23. Masha, I came back for I had remembered my lens wrong! It is 55-200! I can be so lame!! I want more is all. I cannot carry anything too large for I would be bending over from back pain. I enjoyed seeing this breathtakingly beautiful photographs again! Happy Valentine's Day! Carol

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  24. Carol, thank you so much for getting back to me. I somehow thought your lens was mounted on a tripod in a room facing out the window... Yes, carrying them can be heavy, but you come up with really good pictures hand-holding such a heavy lens.

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  25. It is a beautiful place - the rock formations are stunning.

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  26. Thank you, Phillip, I am glad you liked them. It is such a fascinating place, I am happy to spend whole days there (even with frozen legs).

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  27. Yours photographs are very beautiful !
    marvelous bridge on the beach !
    Happy Valentine's Day
    MC

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  28. Merci, Marie-Claude, and happy Valentine's Day to you too! Je suis enchantee de vous rencontrer.

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  29. What beautiful photography and flowers you have, particulary your roses. Feel free to drop by my little Irish garden blog some time. All the best, Kelli.

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  30. Thank you, Kelli, and nice to meet you. Thank you for the invitation, I will stop by!

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I am so glad you have stopped by!