Date: 05/16/2001

Number: 1

I reported the first monarch of the season in Mequon last week -- by one of my 6th grade students. Today, at noon, while entering the school from recess with the kids, I observed MY first adult monarch of the year. It was VERY FADED, ALMOST PALE, and flew on the southwest breeze over the top of the school and to the north.
Low and behold, while working as the starter for our school's track meet at the Homestead H.S. [2 miles west of our campus and 3 miles east of Lake Michigan, I espied my second monarch of the day (4 PM) as it glided over the participants at the start of the 110 meter hurdles. IT TOO WAS FADED, but not as pale as the noon-hour siting.
The wings on both butterflies did not show pronounced wear and the butterflies did not seem to be struggling in their flight movement. The faded wings, however, were a very outstanding feature on both of the adults I observed. I could not determine the gender due to the quickness of their appearance and disappearance.
Have a Happy

Mequon, WI

Latitude: 43.2 Longitude: -88

Observed by: Steve
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