Monarch and Bee

Monarch
New England Aster
Bee
My yard
Wheeler Lake
North Alabama
2009

This sassy bee zizzed right in front of a Monarch sipping on an aster. That likely happens more than I think. Flowers are very close together and there are always a plethora of diners at any given time, plant to plant. This was 2009 on a day when the butterflies returned. It was late summer and temps finally warmed enough for them, I suppose. Last year was relatively cool as summers go, especially considering the desert droughts we'd experienced three summers in a row beforehand. Personally, I preferred it but clearly the butterflies thought otherwise for we didn't see any at all the first few months of summer. I can't speak for this year as I'm not there, in my garden, photographing bugs. Here, there are no asters or lantana so I cannot judge.

Are there lots of butterflies your way? How are weather patterns where you are? Here, it's been HOT, in the 100's.

Finally....Butterflies

Where've they been?

October 13, 2003

October is my favorite month of the year. On this day our front walk was lined with Monarch butterflies gorging themselves on blossoms in preparation for their continued migration southward. The air was getting crisp and the Possumhaw berries were already completely scarlet. The Monarchs weren't frightened off easily by observers as they fluttered around us, over us and between us seeking nectar. Each one fed until exhaustion took hold, and then would find a branch and stretch out their stained glass wings to catch the weak sun's rays.

I am the Monarch Butterfly

Avisha N. Sanassie

I am the Monarch butterfly
I am the king of kings
Soaring high on gloden wings
I am the monarch butterfly
Floating high through the air
I am the monarch butterfly
See me soar and glide
I am the monarch butterfly
Only the luky ones will recieve
the long awaited butterfly kiss
I am the monarch butterfly
I am the king of kings