Date: 08/06/2014

Number: 1

Having a milkweed patch near the house means endless drama and entertainment. This afternoon a male monarch patrolled the patch. It was beautiful how he sailed over the purple coneflower, hyssop and joe-pye weed that surround the plants. Suddenly, a cardinal and he were in the same air space. The cardinal rushed at the monarch who fled for only a moment before turning to chase the cardinal off. A female monarch came into instant view. The male and female came together closely and spiraled upward, ending the spiral as the male took her down and pinned her to the ground. In a few moments they rose together to the Norway maple tree and hung as a mated pair. Meanwhile, (how could this possibly get better?) a female with more faded color came to the patch and laid eggs.

Goshen, IN

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -85.8

Observed by: Julia
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