Sanctuary

This is a short piece we shot and chopped when we went down to Monterey this weekend. The Monarchs migrate up and down the coast to try and survive the winter. We got a unique opportunity to photograph them off the beaten path. Tourists gather at the park in Pacific Grove to observe the monarchs over 60 feet away. We were given access to a nook where we could almost reach out and touch them.

Historically, most of the western population of monarchs settled in the fog shrouded Monterey pine forest of Pacific grove. To survive, the Monarch migrates to safe overwintering sites that are neither cold enough to kill it nor so warm that it wastes precious energy flying too much. Monarchs west of the Rockies come to Pacific Grove and other locations along California's Central Coast. En route, they may travel as far as 200 miles a day, and fly as high as 10,000 feet.The magic and mystery of the Monarch migration has charmed and captivated Pacific Grove residents and visitors for many years. Unfortunately the phenomenon of the annual Monarch migration is endangered, The eastern population is being severely impacted by deforestation in its Mexican overwintering grounds and the western Monarchs are being squeezed by the constant pressures of coastal development and dwindling space.

Music by: Hammock Title: Tunings

http://www.hammockmusic.net/

Shot with: Canon 1D MKIV/Canon 200mm F2

Nikon D3S/Nikon 600mm F4

See the photos at www.seventhmovement.com