I don’t know if this Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) migrated from the south or was a refugee from the indoor butterfly garden, but I was sure happy to see it this past Saturday at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden outside of Richmond, Virginia. Monarch butterflies have been pretty scarce in this area the last couple of years.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Thanks mike. Lovely colors – the segmentation on the wings reminds me of stained glass! Regards thom.
Thanks, Thom, for your kind words. Butterflies fascinate me with their beautiful colors as well as for their incredible metamorphosis.
It seems early, but it’s a welcome sight.
One of the truly special parts of spring…Your image is stunning.