Date: 03/28/2017

Number: 8

Today I had some lovely monarch encounters as I went about from 11am to 12:30pm ranging over the pastureland. It was quite warm in the low 80's, sunny, windy (wind SSE 13mph), and with 55% humidity. I saw 6 faded female monarchs, all egg-laying. I also saw 2 male monarchs patrolling milkwed areas and nectaring on yellow thistles. I saw one of the males chase a female that was egg-laying. She made an effort to evade by flying into the leafy branches of a tree and coming out the other side. That tactic worked for the moment. This is a photo of a beautiful female laying an egg. She has slightly tattered wing edges, but none of the monarchs I have seen so far this spring have had damaged wings to the extent that the Spring 2016 monarchs had. Right before the photo was taken, this female met up with another milkweed-seeking female and they briefly sparred, then went their separate ways ~ apparently each wanting fresh milkweed areas to themselves. All of the female monarchs were very selective in which milkweed they laid eggs on, looking for fresh milkweed without any monarch eggs or larvae already. As I followed them I was amazed to realize there was much more new milkweed in the pastures than I had been able to find myself. It is always an honor to go around with a monarch as she lays her precious eggs. Today, the ones I followed didn't seem to mind me at all and so I had some wonderful close encounters as they fluttered near me.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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