Thanks for your observations, David.
Here's an eyewitness account of how the migrating
monarchs are still able to findnectar in drought plagued
south-central Texas:
http://www.learner.org/cgi-bin/jnorth/jn-query-byday?1317405754
"Observed on Gentry Creek ten miles north of Junction, TX. I
counted approximately 200 Monarchs feeding on blooming
plants along creek banks in one area. Some were roosting.
In another area on the creek I counted approximately 300
Monarchs feeding and roosting on native Pecan leaves.
Both of the areas have been traditional roosts in the past
years. Last year there were none, so this is encouraging.
Blooming plants include: Salvia farinacea, Goldenrod,
Mullen, Frostweed, Smooth Bidens, Buttonbush. Our
area is in an extreme drought, but these plants are
along the creek banks." Judy Hall, Junction, TX
Paul Cherubini
On Sep 29, 2011, at 6:05 PM, David L. McNeely wrote:
Paul and others,
I live in central Oklahoma. The photos you show look like the
isolated patches of bloom that I see around. Maximilian sunflower
should be at its peak right now. Instead, I see only scattered
groups of a few plants, versus the acres of fields and right of way
normally covered in yellow in late September. Snow on the Mountain
(a euphorb) should also have extensive stands of blooming plants.
Again, scattered. There are almost no fields of broomweed in
bloom, one of the most drought tolerant late composites. Little
ironweed is blooming, and little goldenrod compared to normal
years. I can find patches of all these, but not the extensive
fields. On my own property, I have a large patch of goldenrod, and
lots of common and Maximilian sunflowers. Partridge pea as well.
All should be at peak right now. Instead, I have isolated plants
with flowers, others seem very late or simply have begun to wilt
without the heads opening. Common sunflowers are dwarfed compared
to norm!
al years, so many fewer flower heads. My Liatris (gayfeather), an
important late composite, simply failed to emerge from the ground.
I hope the corms are alive.
David McNeely, Edmond, Oklahoma
