Date: 10/05/2019

Number: 700

The long awaited peak has arrived. After most of the day with south winds, a weak cold front came through in midafternoon. The winds shifted to the north, about 10 mph, and with that change the monarchs appeared. Using binoculars, I observed a continuous flow of monarchs, most of which were not visible to the naked eye. The lowest were approximately 125 feet in altitude, but the majority were much higher. With the magnification, several were observed to be (seemingly) effortlessly gliding south with a glistening, white trailing silk. Though a few stopped to nectar, the overwhelming majority, as if urgently needing to make up for lost time, continued using the favorable winds. The procession lasted through the last available light. Finally, at sunset (7:08), in the deeping shade of dusk, a few drifted down to the waiting trees for a night's rest. One still had the trailing silk, which was jettisoned after landing. The following, much cooler morning, and only with binoculars, the procession was again noted against a cool, drab gray October sky.

Edmond, OK

Latitude: 35.7 Longitude: -97.5

Observed by: Patrick
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