Date: 04/14/2002

Number: 1

Unconfirmed Sighting

I would say my observations are not reliable. I really need a little education in identifying. Is there a section of your website that deals with identification? I knew about the Mexican winter kill and was probably just too excited.

The butterfly I saw seemed very very strong and light. I am now thinking it wasn't a monarch because they seem to be larger, slower and more deliberate in its search for food. This one was flying high and erratically. I saw a similar one once more in the same place across the street yesterday. I live near several big lakes with lots of cattail but not a lot of willow.

It wasn't a swallowtail. I do know what those look like. Since I was the first sighting in my state, that is suspect - since I live in the northern part of the state. I did see it again today but it was too far away. I will wait to see a deep orange one before I make another sighting

Reston, VA

Latitude: 39 Longitude: -77.3

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