Overhearing a conversation in the market about the return of the butterflies to Natural Bridges, we decided to brave the stormy weather ~ hoping the gods would grant a brief reprieve just for us ~ and see, for the first time, Santa Cruz’ version of San Juan Capistrano’s return of the swallows.
We parked along Delaware Avenue and walked into the park, passing verdant fields and inhaling fresh, clean air perfumed with a subtle fragrance, so familiar. But what was it? We breathed in deeply.
Detecting no cars in the parking lot and the information center empty of visitors, we agreed that this was indeed a strange reception for a natural phenomenon of such magnitude.
We began our search, following the wooden pathway into the canyon, necks craned aloft. No activity anywhere, other than a few ducks preening in the lagoon and a frog croak or two.
When we arrived at the amphitheater … all was silent! Eucalyptus towered, trunks as sleek as ever. Clearly, we’d missed the boat … I mean, the butterflies.
But not to worry: we can return in October, binoculars in hand and camera-ready, for the second show.
And that familiar sweetness? Blossoming mountain laurel.
For additional info on monarch butterflies, visit Natural Bridges State Beach.
Thumbnail image courtesy of ButterflyPictures.Net.
This week’s image ~ above right ~ Blue Mountain Laurel.
