You can’t help but notice the tiny orange and black butterflies zooming around town.

No, this is not normal.

This year, Sacramento is a way station in the largest ever migration of the Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui). After a winter in Southern California, billions of butterflies are making their way to British Colombia for the summer. The migration only occurs once every decade or so, possibly in concurrence with El Niño years.

My theory, while not widely accepted by the scientific community, indicates the return of Motley Crue.