Date: 10/06/2024

Number: 2

I took my camera with me to the huge flower field across my rural road even though I knew it was past peak for monarchs at this latitude and the golden rods were going to seed.

I expected that I would have a slim chance of seeing just one monarch but I also knew that the asters were in bloom, offering their energy and the day was butterfly-perfect at 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The brilliant blue sky was decorated with friendly white clouds on the move in the stiff /gusty breeze.

The swaying asters were like beacons in this dull brown field. If a late monarch butterfly would be at this latitude, then this is the day and this field would be a good fuel stop.

As soon as I entered the field trail system around 3PM, I saw the two monarchs, "dancing" in New England aster. It was not easy to photograph them together on this beautiful flower cluster, but I did. (One of the monarchs in the photo is nearly hidden, but its wings can be seen.)

What an exciting capping off of my day which is probably my last monarch sightings for the migration season. The temperatures are expected to drop for the next week. Fall chill is in the air and these two monarchs, and any others should soon be much further South, closer to Mexico. I hope they make it!

Arcade, NY

Latitude: 42.6 Longitude: -78.4

Observed by: Donna
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