Date: 08/09/2001

Number: 1

On the evening of 9 August I sighted monarchs flying overhead around 7:15 p.m. There were many more than usual so I stopped hanging clothes and followed them only to find them in OUR trees!!!!!!
There were 2 main clusters of monarchs-it looked like the Mexican colonies except in a much smaller area of course. The following morning I got up at 6 and watched until 7:20 when the highest "colony" left the branches. I watched as the sun started to hit the leaves and branches and they began to unfold wings. They left in clusters of 15-20. I didn't see the lower group leave. The same thing happened the night of 10 August and again (less monarchs) on 12 August. When watching them on the morning of 13 August, about 150 (this is a rough guess) flew off together. It was like watching gold in the sky. I have never experienced such a beautiful event.

Duluth, MN

Latitude: 46.8 Longitude: -92.1

Observed by: patricia
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