There were 80 to 100 groups like this in a quarter mile stretch!

My wife and I have owned our ranch 20 miles northeast of Sweetwater, Texas for 6 years now. We have experienced the fall roost every year and have been excited this week anticipating the Monarchs arrival. We have a creek that runs about one mile though the property with huge willow trees lining it. There is a very grassy area with abundant milkweed mixed in on the north side of the creek. It is like a custom made roost environment for our traveling friends, and they continue to come back and roost at the exact same place every year, and always within a day or two either side of October 1! It is one of our favorite features of our ranch. I checked for their arrival last night at 7:00 pm, and saw about 300 early arrivals. By 5:00 pm today (9/29/06), the trees and grass were litterally filled. Last year I submitted pictures and estimated as many as 20,000 roosted for two nights with us. This year I estimate the same number although it could easily be twice that many. It is amazing. I would be happy to take digital pictures in the morning (I'm assuming they will still be here) and submit if you would like! Just let me know! Thanks and thanks for your excellent web site.

A group taking flight when I walked by!

Another group taking flight!

Another group just "Hanging Around"!

Just a close-up I liked

Sweetwater, TX

Latitude: 32.5 Longitude: -100.3

Observed by: Mike
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