Date: 10/29/2017

Number: 2

Quite unexpectedly, I sighted 2 monarchs this afternoon around 1:45 pm CT after not seeing any monarchs since last Sunday (10-22-17) during a miserably windy day.

Today’s sightings included a monarch passing at low altitude traveling in a northeasterly direction over our garden. I was surprised that individual did not stop in the garden to feed. The other monarch, who was nectaring at the time the other monarch passed overhead, had arrived a few minutes earlier. That monarch stayed about 20 minutes while constantly nectaring on blue mistflower initially (Conoclinium greggii) before moving to the tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis).

I was especially surprised to see these individuals because the weather has been chilly during the past several days until today, and the lows have ranged from 27 to 42 degrees. During today’s sightings, the temperature was about 72 degrees, the skies were clear with bright sunshine, and the wind was from the SSW around 5-10 mph.

A picture of the monarch nectaring in the garden on the tall verbena is attached. The photo was taken from some distance to give the butterfly uninterrupted time to focus on rest and refueling.

Oklahoma City, OK

Latitude: 35.6 Longitude: -97.6

Observed by: Denise
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.