Date: 04/21/2016

Number: 4

This afternoon was sunny with clouds, a very light breeze, humidity of 68%, and around 75 degrees F. At 2pm I saw a very faded and tattery-winged male monarch repeatedly nectaring on a yellow thistle. After drinking a bit he would fly a large orbit around the thistle cruising over milkweed patches ~ then back for some deep sips. I was pretty far away and couldn't get a good photo, but this one does show how tattered his wings have become. He also rested a bit, but mostly sipped and zoomed around.

At 2:15 I saw another monarch nectaring on a different yellow thistle next to our driveway. I think it was a male. He had brighter wings with very little wear to them. Will add a follow-up photo of this monarch.

At 3:15 I saw 2 monarchs seeming to have a "dogfight" in the air. Then they flew into the branches of a tree and both emerged from different areas and went their separate ways. Maybe males defending territory?

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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