First Monarch Sighting!

Hurray!

First documented Monarch sighting for Portland, 2021!

Wednesday evening, July 28th, a brilliant orange monarch butterfly floated into my Northeast Portland garden. She nectared on Meadow Blazingstar Liatris, native to parts of the US, staying about 20 minutes. She is a large, fresh looking female, indicating she had recently eclosed (emerged from chrysalis.)

I am delighted that she found my garden.

She is the first photo documented Monarch sighting in the Portland area this year. It is interesting that she chose my garden when there are larger patches of milkweed nearby. That I am the admin for the Portland Monarchs group makes it that much more exciting. Of all the gardens in Portland, she chose mine. I have been told that monarch butterflies leave a scent trail but no one has been able to tell me how long the trail will persist. Could it possibly be that a few bits of Monarch magic linger in my garden from the batch I had the privilege of caring for two summers ago? They are amazing creatures and there is much we do not yet know about them.

This photo is an actual photo I took yesterday during her visit. I think I will call her Fiona.