Monarch Butterfly – Fall Flyby

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Sep 252011
 
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Every fall Monarch Butterflies by the thousands migrate through North Texas on their way the high mountain fir forests of central Mexico. I noticed my first one of the season early this morning, while walking through Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano. Then I noticed another and another. The migration is definitely on.

Its a remarkable long distance journey these small insects make every fall and spring. Their migration can begin as far north as Canada, and is aided by favorable weather patterns which can carry these butterflies quite far. The prevailing winds can also lift these insects high in the air. When I worked in downtown Dallas a few years ago I noticed Monarch Butterflies flying by our 40th story windows regularly during late September and through October.

 
County - Denton
City - Plano
Date - September 25, 2011
Time of Day - Morning
Temperature - Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather - Clear
Habitat - Recreation-Park
Type of Behavior - Migration
Gender - Female
Maturity - Adult
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Monarch Butterfly Observation Location

Monarch Butterfly – A Quick Snack

 Insects, Monarch Butterfly  No Responses »
May 262011
 
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I came across this odd arrangement of wildlife during a walk through the woods. I found this Monarch Caterpillar crawling across the face of a flat stone. There was a leaf nearby with a number of insect eggs attached to it. These may be Monarch Butterfly eggs, but I am not certain.

I took a few pictures and then continued on my way. My return trip took me by this point again, and I stopped for another look. To my surprise the Monarch Caterpillar was no longer on the stone. In its place was a Western Ribbon Snake. It seems likely that the snake managed to make a quick snack of the caterpillar after I passed by the first time. I was able to get one photograph of the snake just before it slithered out of view.

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Monarch Butterfly – At the State Fair of Texas

 Insects, Monarch Butterfly  No Responses »
May 232011
 
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The Monarch Butterfly’s fall migration is in full swing by early fall in North Texas. Coincidentally, the timing of the migration overlaps with the holding of the annual State Fair of Texas. With this in mind, the officials at Fair Park make sure there are plenty of butterfly friendly flowers in the park’s landscaping. The result is many excellent opportunities to photograph these attractive butterflies.

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