Date: 03/31/2021

Number: 16

It was balmy at 9am, but by 10:30am it was 62 degrees F, cloudy, with a gusty north wind, and spritzing rain. We saw one monarch flying in the back yard heading for the trees in the pasture.

By 2:15pm the light rain had stopped. It had warmed up to 69 degrees F, cloudy, with strong gusting wind from the north and 67% humidity. Going around I saw at least 16 individual monarchs flying, nectaring, resting/sunning, chasing, and a few females egg-laying.

The yellow and purple thistles were getting a lot of attention on this chilly day. These nectar fountains also provide a landmark for monarch activity. The males patrol around them, nectar from them, and keep track of other monarchs in the area, who also hang out there. Once juiced up, they can sail and zoom great distances with ease, checking out the rest of the milkweed zones ~ and chase females.

I observed several females seeking milkweed (having to tack against the wind often) and laying eggs on fresh milkweed. They also at times rested and sunbathed to warm their wings ~ though not much sun today.

This is a photo of two male monarchs nectaring from the same thistle ~ a temporary sharing moment!

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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