It is one of nature’s glorious sights -- the autumn migration of monarch butterflies.
I got a glimpse of the migration this week at Campbell Road Nursery in Raleigh.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Nursery owner Phil Campbell credits bright and fragrant flowers called Erysimum or English wallflower for the magnetic attraction.
Each fall, the monarchs migrate from the northern United States and Canada back to their home in the mountains of Mexico. Monarchs will be on the move again in March for their journey north.
The monarchs are important because they pollinate many types of wildflowers and they are a source of food for birds and small animals.
Monarch populations are down sharply due to deforestation, loss of milkweed for the laying of eggs and climate change.
Scientists say we can help save monarchs by planting milkweeds, butterfly weeds and cutting back on the use of pesticides and herbicides.
Many people believe monarch butterflies symbolize guardian angels. Phil Campbell says the monarchs remind her each year of her late mother.