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…

Even when you zoom in a little, it’s not clear.

Are those mushrooms? Moss? Leaves?

Hint: it’s none of those things.

Those are butterflies!

Monarch butterflies, to be exact, during their migration.

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.

No individual butterfly actually ever completes a round-trip migration.

The length of these journeys exceeds the normal lifespan of most monarchs, so the butterflies pass the torch to the younger generations.

It’s overwhelming to think what these tiny, beautiful creatures do every year.

 

 

 

Absolutely beautiful.

Via Amusing Planet

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?

Share this beautiful story with others. Mother Nature is awesome.