Still visiting

Much to everyone's delight, there seems to be a population explosion of monarch butterflies in our neighborhood this autumn.

Through nextdoor.com I've discovered that there are many others in the vicinity who are trying to help the Western monarch population by growing milkweed and planting more nectar plants.

There are several monarchs that waft in the breeze, circling our house all day, every day. I recognize one by a hind wing that has a piece missing from its edge. Enjoying their lovely daily presence, I am really going to miss them when they overwinter.

The monarch above is resting on a branch of a dried California figwort Scrophularia californica.

I hope the current abundance of monarchs means that there is an upward trend in their numbers.