Date: 08/12/2008

Number: 1

The Purple Knapweed or Ironweed began opening last week and has really popped. For the last month the meadow has been busy with Monarchs of all ages - fresh new ones to faded elders - contentedly feeding it appears. So much activity! They may be sparse elsewhere, but we've been blessed with lots since early July. Watched a pair skydancing a courtship at noon. Seem lazily nectaring with no sign of migration. Will start checking the butterfly trees at sunset tomorrow as I've missed the migration before. Hummingbirds are unusually active this week, sucking the feeders dry and fighting a lot. Fattening up for south flight? Very dry conditions here, only 50 degrees this AM, heavy cold dews. Very butterfly blessed for a change this year!

Marne, MI

Latitude: 43.1 Longitude: -85.9

Observed by:
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.