Date: 05/17/2014

Number: 1

On Saturday, early afternoon I finally saw the first Monarch of the spring. It was gliding and patrolling along my tree line in the backyard. I live in rural area, among farmed fields, and the first sighting is about two weeks later than last year, due to cold spring. I saw it a few times while doing garden chores, but did not get close enough to determine gender. Only that it was fresh looking and certainly a Monarch. Did not see it again on Sunday. My common milkweed is not even visible yet, and swamp and tuberosa are only about 6" tall. I have a lot of seedlings growing, including early Asclepias Viridis but those are still smallish and in pots outside. I felt bad thinking it might have been a female looking to deposit eggs. Not many of my flowers are blooming yet, but I do have other weeds and dandelions for pollinators. I am converting my yard and garden areas to mainly native plants for butterflies, birds and other creatures.

Glenwood, IA

Latitude: 41 Longitude: -95.7

Observed by: Tuire
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