Date: 03/30/2017

Number: 8

Today was a beautiful day! I was able to go out walking in the pastures from about 1:30 to 2:30pm. It was sunny, 70 degrees F, winds NW 7mph, and humidity of 40%. Right away in the upper area, just standing still and not getting that close to any in particular, I could see 4 active faded-winged monarchs ~ flying, nectaring (on yellow thistles), and egg-laying. Then I went down to the lower pastures and began to follow a female monarch as she diligently searched for the "just right" milkweed, laid eggs, and every now and then nectared on wild blackberry blossoms. I was glad she allowed me so close & very happy whenever she fluttered near me. I tried as usual to be unobtrusive and just part of the flora. She eventually flew into the shady woods nearby, hopefully taking a well-earned rest. Then I saw another faded-winged female fluttering looking for milkweed, but she headed for the upper pastures, so I did not follow her. Instead, I went to the bottomland where I could see a third faded-winged female fluttering looking for suitable milkweed. I was just about to take a photo of her laying an egg, as she had finally found the "just-right" milkweed, when a male monarch swooped into the scene and off they went wildly flying into the nearby trees. I went back to photographing larvae and eggs ~ they hold still better. This is a photo of the beautiful female monarch I spent the most time with as she lay eggs and nectared on wild blackberry blossoms.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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