The monarchs have arrived in the Trimbelle River valley! As the dog and one of the cats followed along with me as I hunted for eggs, a ripe, rosy-peach full moon started to rise in the darkening azure sky. It was glorious as it inched its way above the tree line. Monarch eggs and a full moon to boot! This June moon can go by many names, but for me it will obviously be the Monarch Moon.

It was exactly one year ago that I  discovered of my first egg last year. I was beginning to think they would arrive later this year, with the delayed spring start out of Mexico and I was trying to be patient. The milkweed was finally started to rocket out of the ground this last week, so the little buggers are actually right on time, for my property anyway. I located 20 eggs in an area where my husband had just cleared out some brush (carefully trying to avoid the newly merging milkweed – I’m training him well). The first four eggs were found on three common milkweed plants I had avoided mowing the day before, despite the fact they were smack dab in the middle of one of the mowed walking paths through our 27 acres. I’m training (or should I say restraining) myself as well…

So welcome little monarchs (I have yet to see one, but I’m delighted to see eggs anyway!). With the coincidence of finding the eggs on the same day as last year, I am hoping it is a good omen for another prolific monarch year in our little protected corner along the Trimbelle River. I will continue to update how my little monarchs are doing through out the summer, so check back and read about the latest, crazy monarch adventure…