Date: 08/22/2008

Number: 1

10 minutes after sunset, I quietly watched a lone Monarch circling and circling around the tall tulip poplar at the head of the gully. This tree has been a monarch roost for as long as I can remember. The butterfly would pick a branch on the west side of the tree, fold it's wings and settle in. Then it would leap airbone nervously and sweep a wide circle again. Over and over, it repeated the jittery routine. Finally, as it grew darker, the monarch abandoned the tree to fly into the depths of the gully. So we've got one getting ready for the long journey! The meadow has about 12 regulars daily, but no sign of south bound travelers, just busy everyday activities - nectaring and chasing one another.

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.