This female monarch (I'm bragging because I just learned today how to tell them apart - the male has 1 black dot on both wings close to the end of the body) was just sunning herself on a blade of grass when I walked by. Thank you thank you all so much for making my spider web shot come up in the Top Twenty for last week (Didn't know what TT meant at first when someone mentioned it). I know I don't tell you often enough how much I appreciate your comments and support - I've never missed reading a one and they sure are a boost to one's morale
All that vibrant orange against the greens is such an eye-catching sight. You've photographed this beauty so clearly. I've seen just a couple of monarch (or maybe they were viceroys) this summer but none have alighted and given me the chance to study them, much less take a picture. Not until a couple of days ago. One was hanging in a birch tree so high up I could only capture it with a telephoto fully extended. The photo didn't make the cut for the day so I'm still hoping to see one of these orange and black beauties before butterfly season is over with for the year.
Oh Milanie....I'm going to burst your bubble just a little....this is a Viceroy butterfly....told apart from the Monarch by the line across the hind wing...monarchs don't have that line...but you are right...the male has a hind wing dot(and no line) and the female monarch has neither line nor dot.
And anyway you look at this, it's a beautiful photo....fav. :)
@lynnb Thanks so much for reminding me of the difference - when I put two side by side I know the difference - just tend to forget when they're not together.
And anyway you look at this, it's a beautiful photo....fav. :)
Fav