TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The federal government shutdown forced the cancellation of this weekend’s Monarch Festival at St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, but no one told the monarchs.

They stop here each year in late October and early November as they migrate south.

Right now, thousands of monarchs are feasting on the nectar of saltbush and goldenrod in the shadow of the St. Marks Lighthouse.

“While they’re here, they’re really busy nectaring,” Sally Jue said as she watched the monarchs through her binoculars. “The adult monarchs aren’t particular. Whatever flowers have good nectar, they’ll stop and get food and then once they’ve replenished their nutrition, they can continue on their journey.”

Dean and Sally Jue study butterflies and have for decades. The retired FSU scientists have even wr

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