Date: 01/15/2010

Number: 1

We have seen a small number of monarchs overwintering here in Benbrook, TX USA in December and January.

We have seen them sporadically throughout the winter even though it’s been bitterly cold this winter, with more snow than I’ve ever seen in one winter in Fort Worth my whole lifetime of 46 years.

I am familiar with the distinct markings of the monarchs as it was always a game with my Dad growing up, to be the first to see them in the spring.

We caught a few of them in the backyard on Wednesday morning (2/24) and they were flying around the birdbath, There were only two.

These two were definitely monarchs. I wish I could catch one without hurting it and take it’s photo. The two different butterflies (monarchs and queens)truly do look very alike but these were monarchs. Up until just a couple of weeks ago I still had quite a few flowers blooming in the yard. I try to have something blooming all year long so the butterflies and skippers have something to eat. We had a freak snow storm and I thought everything that fluttered would be dead so I was extremely surprised to see the monarchs. I thought they had all flown to warmer climates quite awhile ago. I will keep my camera on the back porch and snap a picture of them if they come back. I’m really excited about them!

benbrook, TX

Latitude: 32.6 Longitude: -97.5

Observed by: Suz
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