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Monarch Migration. The monarch butterfly fall migration was spectacular this year. I'm not sure I have ever seen so many monarchs before in the Wichita area. One of the best places to see and experience the event was at Botanica. The gardens were full of monarch butterflies, on plants and in the air.

The largest concentrations of butterflies were on salvia species. The salvia with the wide leaves and blue flowers is Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue'. The salvia with the long spikes of lavender velvet flowers and narrow leaves is Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage).

Peak numbers lasted around two and a half weeks. I was there at sunrise to photograph the monarchs as they awakened to start feeding on the salvia's energy rich nectar. They had a long flight south ahead of them.

Also included are a few photos of white anemones against a background of purple asters. I couldn't resist the opportunity. See a short video here.