Date: 04/08/2019

Number: 25

Over the weekend we had some thunderstorms and good downpours (about 1 3/4 inches of rain total) ~ much needed. So today I saw that the monarchs seemed especially frisky and happy. They chased each other and chased bees and chased other butterflies, seeming to enjoy cavorting in the rain-cleaned air.

It was a mostly sunny day, in the 60's and high 70's, very windy, with high humidity due to the recent rains. Throughout the day as I went about, the monarchs were sailing around & nectaring, females looking for milkweed and egg-laying, with males keeping an eye out for females, and I saw a couple of mating pairs.

The thistles continue to be nectar favorites. Thankfully, no one really has to fight over them, because they are quite abundant right now, often in patches. Males check them regularly to nectar and to hopefully spot females there.

This is a handsome male monarch, a bit tattered and faded, nectaring from the rare (for us) pink thistles. Everyone else seemed to prefer the yellow thistles, but he was enjoying the new flavor!

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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