Date: 09/03/2011

Number: 25

Today's midday count: approx. 25. Temps a bit cooler today: 75F. Party cloudy. When I went outside to do count, sun went under cover and a very, very, very light sprinkle started. Then *POOF* within seconds, all the monarchs took flight and scattered high, heading towards trees. I was hoping to see a common tree (or trees) but they all seemed to have 'reservations' at different tree hotels! Only 3 butterflies didn't seem to care and hung tight to the blazing star liatris to continue feeding. I stayed outside to continue weeding a bit and within about 10 minutes, the sprinkling had stopped, the rain came out and the other 20+ butterflies returned. Today they were VERY intent on feeding and you could get right next to & touch them without them barely moving. Five days ago, the slight breeze your movement would make would be enough to alight them! Today I did notice a dead monarch in the garden, 'impaled' on a hard dried flower. Interesting... A funny comment a passerby made to me today (lives down the block, walks her dog), "...did you know you have a lot of monarchs on your flowers??" Ahhh...yes...but my polite voice replied, "I know...! Aren't they great?" and let her feel happy about her discovery! :) Sunday and Monday are to be sunny but in the low/mid 60's...no rain tho' so hope they stick around...! More to report later...pm from a (partyly) sunny boulevard garden on a busy urban street in southwest Minneapolis!

minneapolis, MN

Latitude: 44.9 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by: pamela ann
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