Monarchs Overwintering

I was up on Albany Hill today looking for Monarchs. Many were clustering on the west side of the hill, but they are hard to find. They are so camouflaged when they are hanging in the trees. They look just like dead leaves. I was looking for clusters, and others were counting. Over 1,000 altogether. After we were done, I took this pic of one sunning. 

Monarchs are also overwintering in Berkeley in Aquatic Park. First time ever! Or maybe: first time in recorded history! Those are easier to get to. Lots of people are going to view them since this article in Berkeleyside. 

http://www.berkeleyside.com/2015/11/23/first-time-observed-hundreds-of-monarch-butterflies-cluster-in-berkeleys-aquatic-park/

I wonder how long they will stay there. They could move on to another location. Or maybe the clump will get bigger and they will stay all winter. Time will tell. 

Nailed It!!

Yesterday was the nuptial flight of the termites. 

Termites

These pics are from 2009. Oh my goodness, have I been blogging that long? Crazy!

Anyway, I am predicting that today will be the nuptial fight of the termites. They come out of the ground, fly off, find someone special, and mate. Then the males die. They are only good for sex. ;-)  The females lose their wings and start a new colony in some yummy wood in the ground. Like buried two-by-fours or dead roots.

Anyway, the nuptial flight is usually on the first sunny day after the first fall rain. That would be today. So keep your eyes open for swarms of long-winged insects on the ground and in the air. It can be quite a spectacle.