Seven monarch butterflies descended on our butterfly bush outside our kitchen window.  These should soon be on their way south, maybe have one more cycle on the way.  They or their offspring will hopefully make it to Mexico where they will spend the Winter.  They will live for about five months before heading north again.

I understand that last year’s migration was great.  These butterflies know how to survive.  They consume very little nectar during their stay south of our border.  They will return in March or April. The first thing they will do is find milkweed in Texas or further north where they will lay their eggs and then, after a few weeks, die.  The eggs will produce the next generation.  The children of that generation will get up to our area.  What stamina and determination!