Date: 03/14/2025

Number: 5

Around 12:00 noon it was 77 degrees F, partly cloudy, with 68% humidity, and winds 16mph from the S. I saw three female monarchs milkweed-seeking and egg-laying in the main pasture. I watched and followed them for awhile. Then I walked to the nearby meadows and found two more female monarchs milkweed-seeking.

The milkweed is still somewhat scarce, so it is impressive to see the effort and persistence of these monarchs to find the newly emerged sprouts. They are often spending a lot of time fluttering low over areas that are indeed milkweed patches, but maybe a day or two away from milkweed emergence.

I saw the female monarchs nectar at times (always briefly) from false garlic flowers, blackberry blossoms, and pink thistles.

The monarchs were navigating strong gusty winds (20 mph gusts), which I myself found a challenge ~ especially getting photos with everything moving. This photo shows one of the diligent monarchs laying an egg on this fresh milkweed (Asclepias viridis).

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.