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The most amazing and unique experience of my life happened because of a set of circumstances that all led to a group of Monarch Butterflies setting into a flock to survive the frosts.
Monarch Butterflies are a tiny tropical insect that travels North in the spring; after several generations they arrive in Portland, Maine, USA, Frederickton, Nova Scotia, Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - and Windsor, Connecticut, USA.
BEFORE it was discovered where they overwinter in the mountains in Mexico, in the second weekend of October of 1975, I had the amazing experience of seeing a "flock" in a field in Marlborough, New Hampshire, USA. It had been sharply cold for a few days and butterflies had gathered so closely together the yellow Goldenrod flowers
had turned orange and black; there were so many butterflies we could not see the plants.
"Dad, why?" "I don't know, he said, let's find out."
This set me off on a path that continues to this day.
I love to share this story and more about the Monarch Butterflies, their recent history with humans, how you can help, suggestions for native pollinators for your home gardens, and how to "advertise" to butterflies and birds that your home is welcoming.
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