Date: 03/23/2024

Number: 10

As I went walking from 11:30am-12:30pm I observed 10 individual monarchs. It was bright and sunny, in the upper 60's, with 64% humidity, and breezes from the NE. There were bumblebees, butterflies, beetles, dragonflies, and more flying around.

I observed female monarchs checking milkweed and laying eggs. At times they were chased by males who were patrolling the milkweed and wildflower areas. The monarchs also nectared from the yellow thistles and had some disputes over them ~ nothing serious because plenty to go around. At one point I saw a mated pair fly past me, but I lost sight of them as they sailed off and around some large trees.

This is a photo of a female monarch as she sunbathes while resting on a milkweed (Asclepias viridis). She had just finished laying several eggs on this milkweed and the smaller sprouts next to it. Above her is a fence and wild grapevine causing the soft shadows on her wings. She is having a peaceful moment.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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