Date: 03/29/2018

Number: 20

Yesterday, we had thunderstorms throughout the day and heavy rainfall (the whole region was affected). This caused our creek to overflow and flood the bottom land ~ where there were many milkweed with eggs and larvae. After the lightning stopped at sunset, my son and I went down and rescued some of the surviving larvae. We could see that there were still eggs attached to some of the milkweed that was under water which was flowing with a strong current ~ making it seem more like seaweed. It was a very disheartening night as more thunderstorms rolled through.

Today was to be a complete contrast. It dawned bright and sunny ~ and was full of monarchs, including two amazing females who seemed to make it their mission to repopulate the flooded area.

At 11am it was 68 degrees F, with a light breeze and humidity at 76%. Monarchs seemed to be everywhere throughout the day. I saw a lot of egg-laying, sunbathing, nectaring, flying, chasing each other, and one mated pair.

The monarchs were nectaring on blackberry blossoms, lyre leaf sage, and yellow & purple thistles ~ also known as "nectar fountains."

The waters of the flooded area had mostly receded with now just some very low areas with pools of water. The grass and milkweed had been swept horizontal by the current, and woodland branches and leaves were strewn about ~ but some of the most sturdy vertical milkweed was still standing tall (especially the ones on higher spots of land). What surprised me the most was seeing 2 female monarchs going around very diligently laying eggs on the milkweed in the previously flooded area. They did not seem the least interested in any of the upland milkweed. It was both fascinating and heartwarming. This is a photo of one of these amazing lady monarchs laying an egg on a milkweed that was certainly underwater yesterday!

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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