Female Monarch fattening up on flower nectar for the southbound fall migratory journey.They only made a one day visit in my flower beds, roosted in clusters on tree limbs overnight and, sadly, were gone the next day. A majestic sight to see dozens and dozens gliding in the fall late summer breeze.

During migration, monarchs conserve energy by riding columns of rising warm air, which greatly reduces the need to flap their wings for sustained periods. They frequently reach high altitudes where strong prevailing winds speed their flight. Glider pilots have observed migrating monarchs flying more than a kilometre above the ground