Date: 10/16/2008

Number: 1

Anyone looking at the Crucita [Eupatorium odorata] in Falcon's garden late this afternoon would assume the flowers are orange, thanks to 100's of Monarchs that came in on today's north wind.  The ones that couldn't find an empty spot on the Crucita settled on the Betony! [Eupatorium betonicifolium]

 
Photos showing an entire shrub do not show enough detail, so I zoomed in on a trio to show you how tightly they are grouped on the flowers. 
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franzabirder/2947479897/

 
This is the 1st time I have seen a main migrating body of Monarchs in the park   What a thrill.  I hope they will still be here when tomorrow's tour group from the Butterfly Festival arrives!

Courtesy of Mike Quinn, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Falcon SP, TX

Latitude: 26.6 Longitude: -99.1

Observed by:
Contact Observer

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