Date: 10/20/2016

Number: 500

As morning rain ended, the day warmed, and the wind switched around from the north, very large numbers of monarchs cleared our north woods and passed south across our meadows. I haven't a clue how many I saw. From my tractor, I was viewing 20 to 30 closeby at any one time. This is the biggest number I have seen here at the farm on one day in the 15 years we've owned the property.

The rain moved out, the sun came out, and the wind switched around to a northwind at about 9:30am. I noticed a few monarchs immediately (early, I thought). The numbers steadily increased from that point.

Our north property line contains a belt about 100 to 150 yards deep, and is about 1/2 mile long. I was working in the center of the north property line just on the south side of that belt. I was working on my tractor most of the time, but also worked on the ground. The monarchs were coming up and over the north belt, then downward a bit, passing south over a series of three meadows to the south. The procession lasted until about 5pm. Monarchs were coming over the trees both east and west of me.

I’m sure I saw hundreds of them, but I could not possibly see all of them coming over the trees, nor the ones which stayed high. (a note: my spouse reported that our butterfly bushes on our property in Frisco, TX were covered with monarchs at this same time).

The procession continued into the day yesterday (10/21) as well. However, we saw few of them today (10/22).

The experience counts as one of the most amazing sights of my 70 years. It’s hard to believe these beautiful, delicate creatures can make this journey.

Bogata, TX

Latitude: 33.5 Longitude: -95.2

Observed by: Wayne
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