The news just came to my inbox that the monarch butterflies have finally arrived at their roosting site in Mexico! They are late this year, and still coming in. According to the citizen-science website Journey North (in this case Journey South!), the numbers are down. Counts and measurements will happen in December, which will give a real picture of the North American population, since they all roost in this one spot. To see pictures of their arrival, and the trees where they spend the winter, visit this website and click around: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/fall2013/update111413.html#news. Meanwhile, let's plant butterfly gardens next spring, and start thinking about those "weedy places" that host milkweed as vital nurseries that shouldn't be mowed or bush-hogged until October.
May the overwintering monarchs be safe from storms and cold. May we all be safe from storms and cold.