Date: 08/29/2009

Number: 1

When I returned home late morning from errands Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, my husband said he saw 7 monarchs flying around our backyard. I ran out and I counted 10-12 monarchs sipping from the butterfly bushes and lined up four across on our pin cushion flowers feeding. I have never seen more than six monarchs in our yard and that's usually in late September, so this was great. All were extremely bright orange and in great condition. But it's sad to note that they vanished the next day. In past years, I've had a group of five or six that remain and feed for at least three days. Two days have passed since Saturday and all I've seen since is one monarch, a tiger swallowtail, and a few cabbage whites. So this is very sad that they actually left after only one day. I still have 9 chrysalises and 3 caterpillars though. I hope these stragglers make it to Mexico eventually! My observation time: I was watching for 5 hours and loving every minute of it. Both of my neighbors on either side came into my yard and enjoyed the beauty of the monarchs. We all began to mourn their eventual leave-taking.

Park Ridge, IL

Latitude: 42 Longitude: -87.8

Observed by: Sue Fox
Contact Observer

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