I was in the garden minding my business stalking bees and butterflies when I noticed two monarchs flying around. When they both landed on a butterfly bush, I went over to check them out and take some pictures.
After watching them for a bit. I turned around to ask John a question and imagine my surprise when I turned back around and spotted this!
I yelled the monarchs are mating! to John and proceeded to give them zero privacy. But they didn’t seem to mind.
You know I almost died from the excitement of monarchs mating RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, IN MY GARDEN, ON MY BUTTERFLY BUSH. I took a zillion pictures and even a video (which I’m not sharing because there wasn’t any movement and all you can hear is me babbling about monarchs “doing it” because I’m mature like that).
At one point, they briefly switched positions. Or whatever monarchs do when they’re really getting into it, I guess.
Of course, in the middle of all this excitement, a hummingbird moth stopped by. It’s been a great year in the garden for these moths. While I don’t spot them daily, I have seen them a few times a week.
How does this story end? Hopefully there are monarch eggs on the milkweed in the garden. Time will tell!
That’s awesome!
Love is in the air! There have been a lot of monarchs hooking up at the farm lately too. I see them in flight together — the insect equivalent of the mile high club, perhaps. Love your photos, Sarah!
Love the mile high club comment! And love that the monarchs are hooking up at the farm, too.
How spectacular!
Definitely a moment for me. Just not something I’d seen before.
Super cool and found my 13th monarch cat today!!
That’s awesome!