Date: 11/05/2006

Number: 1

We saw what we thought was a flock of birds, but then as we got closer we realized it was thousands of monarchs. It was so beautiful the way they all flew in synch! It was almost like watching a school of fish.

We are almost positive they were monarchs because about five minutes before we saw the "patches", we passed a lone monarch flying down level with the road. From far off the groups would appear and then disappear. I suppose that the sunlight reflecting on their wings made it harder to see them at times. When we got right underneath them we could only tell that they were butterflies. We could not see any color, just outlines. I hope that helps. Whatever it was, it was a beautiful sight! People were really slowing down trying to figure out what it was.

We saw them in the distance for about 3 or 4 minutes. We were right under them for about 4-5 minutes. We saw 2 patches that were flying one a few feet in front of the other. I would say there were about 500-700 in each group. They all turned at exactly the same moments so when they turned away from the sunset they would "disappear" and when they turned back towards the sunset they would "reappear" in our line of sight. It was late afternoon, early evening. The weather was cool, about 55 degrees and sunny. The sun was setting.

Murfreesboro, TN

Latitude: 35.9 Longitude: -86.4

Observed by: Jennifer
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