Butterfly release to provide monarchs in the downtown
Just in time for Halloween, hundreds of orange-and-black creatures will swarm upon Los Gatos on Oct. 29, creating a colorful spectacle on and around their amazed spectators.
Unlike the faeries, witches and Supermans who will fill the town two days later on Halloween, these creatures fly without the aid of imagination or a costume. They are monarch butterflies, and they will take to the skies following the third annual butterfly release coordinated by Los Gatos' Magical Beginnings Butterfly Farms.
The release is set for 3 p.m., weather permitting, in the inner courtyard of the Toll House Hotel, 140 S. Santa Cruz Ave. Each releaser receives an origami envelope, inside each is nestled one of Magical Beginnings' home-grown monarchs. The cool, dark environment of the envelope keeps the insect in a sleep-like state. It "wakes up" in response to the warmth and light of an open envelope, and soon takes flight.
Michael Talesfore and Chris Hundley, the co-owners of Magical Beginnings, started the business about three years ago, making a complete 180-degree turn from their high-tech careers. After reading an article about an East Coast "butterfly farmer," the friends thought the same idea could work on the West Coast.
They chose monarchs because this butterfly's population has been gradually declining due to droughts, cold temperatures and loss of habitat for milkweed, the only plant female monarch use for egg-laying and the only plant the caterpillars eat. Additionally, monarchs are large, outgoing butterflies with strong wings that are not damaged when touched gently or picked up.
The monarchs released in Los Gatos may remain in the area for a while, but soon instinct takes over, sending them over the Santa Cruz Mountains and to the coast, where they "overwinter." Gathered into cozy groups and sheltered by trees, rocks or caves, the butterflies go into a hibernation of sorts until the spring. They then take to the skies, feed on nectar and mate. Pacific Grove and Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz are two popular overwintering locations.
Each Magical Beginnings' butterfly is fitted with a tiny numbered tag, that aids Talesfore and Hundley in tracking the insects' migration patterns. All releasers receive sponsorship certificates with their butterflies' tracking numbers. Butterfly experts will take part to answer questions, and a variety of butterfly-related books and other products will be available for sale.
Cost is $10 per butterfly in advance or $12 at the event. Butterfly supply is limited. Advance registration is available at the Wild Bird Center, 792 Blossom Hill Road; and at the Backyard Bird Feeder, 1466 Pollard Road. For more information, call 408.358.9453 (Wild Bird Center), or 408.378.0886 (Backyard Bird Feeder).
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
