Date: 03/17/2013

Number: 1

I took another walk late this afternoon and revisited the neighborhood lot about ¼ mile down the road
I was there about 4:45 this afternoon...it was breezy and about 82 degrees

As soon as I got there I spotted a Monarch on a purple thistle bloom
There were about 8-10 blooms on the 3 acre lot that is typically covered with blooms
I was able to get close enough to take pictures

While taking pictures I spotted another Monarch that after observation I concluded it was a female
It was flying low and landing on what little milkweed was present on the lot...some of which I had taken pictures of yesterday
She stayed no more than 10-15 seconds then moved on flying about 12-18 inches off the ground

She also eventually found the purple thistle blooms and nectared for a much longer time...remaining for 1-2 minutes
I was able to also get pictures of her and she appeared to be somewhat more tattered at the wing edges than the other Monarch

During about a 20 minute visit to the lot I saw a total of 3 Monarchs. My guess is 2 males and 1 female based on the behavior observed.
I was unable to get firm confirmation of the sex of any of them

We are planning on visiting the lot tomorrow (3/19) and check for eggs on the small asperula growth that is present there

Driftwood, TX

Latitude: 30.1 Longitude: -98

Observed by: Chuck
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