Monarch on Joe Pye
(photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison)
click on image for a larger view
Late
yesterday afternoon I was taking a photograph of this female Monarch
butterfly on the Joe Pye weed next to the studio deck...somewhere in the
back of my mind was the question - "When will the migration begin? I
believe it must be getting close."
"Valley Shadows and Clouds"
(photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison)
click on image for a larger view
A
bit later I noticed the clouds moving in with an intermittent breeze.
It felt like a front moving through. I was distracted and spent some
time looking skyward and photographing the landscape out front. On my
way back into the studio I noticed several Monarchs in the yard acting
as if they were "gathering"; was a roost in the making?!!!
"The Roost Begins!"
(photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison)
click on image for a larger view
We
actually had a roost in the yard - it wasn't a record breaker, like
back in 2005 but it was a good first roost especially looking back the
past 5 years here.
"A Small Roost"
(photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison)
click on image for a larger view
I
could count 46 individuals; there were a few moving around so there
certainly could have been more...tough counting these guys when they
aren't totally settled in.
It's begun! Lets hope for a good year for Monarchs in North America - and a safe winter ahead!
