Nearing the End
By the end of April, the wings of a monarch that overwintered in Mexico are typically faded, tattered, and torn. If born in August, such butterflies would be 8 months old.

"I saw a monarch female flying from flower to flower sipping nectar. She was clearly a long-journeyed monarch given the condition of her faded and tattered wings. Such an honor to have her visit and to take sustenance from the flowers in our fields. Here she is nectaring on a Texas Yellow Star."

 Kathy Metzger  Dobbin, Texas   April 21, 2014