I was going over some photos from earlier this month and came across these photos of a Monarch butterfly. I remember how excited I was when I shot them and decided to share a few of them. Early in the summer I took lots of photos of swallowtails, but I longed to photograph a Monarch butterfly. The first few that I saw flew away before I could raise my camera. Eventually, I managed to get some decent shots, but my pulse still quickens whenever I see a Monarch. Other insects may be cool or interesting or unusual, but for me there is nothing that really matches the beauty and elegance of a Monarch butterfly.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Fantastic shots, I’m suprised they were still around this late in the year, but then I was finding Skippers and bees in Tennessee this week..:-)
Northern Virginia is a strange place in a lot of ways–including weather. We actually got up to 84 degrees yesterday. I am surprised at how many insects are still around, including bees and an occasional butterfly and even a few dragonflies.
I hear ya, it was 80 in Tennessee today but thats about to change, I’m back on the road this week and hope I head north and get into some of the white fluffy stuff..:-)
Beautiful capture! Your images are fantastic!
Thanks. I’m blushing a bit at your praise, but am happy that you enjoyed the photos.
Absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!!