Leonard Weber

October 4, 2023

A little more than three weeks ago, I reported seeing several Monarch caterpillars in Eliza Howell Park and noting that they will not be among the early departures on the long migration to Mexico. (See “Monarch Caterpillars in September,” September 11.)

Since then, I have been looking for their chrysalises (without success) and have been seeing a few adult butterflies still seeking nectar from park flowers.

On October 4, I saw four Monarch butterflies, their bright colors suggesting that they had recently emerged as adults.

I am not suggesting that these four are the same four that I saw as caterpillars on September 11, but it’s fun to speculate that one or two might be.

Three of the new adults were busy hunting and eating nectar. The fourth (the one in the photo above) was on the ground.

Monarchs generally are not especially particular about which flowers they visit, but at this time of the year, Red Clover is definitely a frequent stop

I don’t see many Monarch butterflies here in October. When I do, I wish them a “Safe Flight!”