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Next Field Trip:

From SLO head south on Highway 1 through Pismo Beach - Monarch Grove is at southern edge of the City on the right side

Pismo State Beach is one of the largest Monarch groves in the United States. Two populations of Monarch butterflies
are found in the United States. The group living east of the Rockies migrates south to spend the winter in Mexico.
Those living in the west migrate to the coast of central and southern California each winter.
The western Monarch’s summer range extends as far north as southern Canada. In October, as colder weather approaches,
the butterflies instinctively know they must fly south to escape the freezing temperatures, some flying over 1,000 miles!
Each winter The Monarch Grove at Pismo State Beach hosts 20,000 to 200,000 Monarchs.
The northern migration usually begins in February.
Typically Monarchs live about 2 to 6 weeks except for the last generation of the year,known as the “Winter Monarchs”, who live about 6 to 8 months.
The butterflies at the Monarch Grove can be seen clustering up in the trees. There is no definitive answer to the question of why they do it.
Either they are attracted to the same conditions in a particular spot, or they could benefit from being a group.
The group may protect them from the elements and or predators. Perhaps the group shares body heat gaining protection from cool temperatures.

Bring your long lens to photograph the Monarchs up in the trees, it is an area of deep shade so bring your tripod too. As the day gets warmer more butterflies will be flying around the area and there will be opportunities for some close up photos.

We will head south to Old Juan’s Cantina for lunch at 649 Pier Ave. - Oceano

Photograph as many as you can!  Turn in your “Top 20” at the Febuary meeting.