The last few years it has been pretty rare for me to see a Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Most of the time when I thought I had spotted one, it turned out to be a similar-looking Viceroy Butterfly.
I was therefore really excited when I spotted a Monarch Butterfly fluttering about in a clump of what I think is some kind of milkweed during a brief trip to Kenilworth Aquatic Garden this past weekend. The butterfly seemed to be unusually skittish—it would perch for only a split second and then take off again. When it would decide to perch for a slightly longer period of time, inevitably it would bury itself among the vegetation, making a clear shot almost impossible.
I waited and waited and finally was able to get this almost unobstructed shot of the spectacular butterfly. Even in America we celebrate this kind of Monarch.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beautiful capture, Mike!
Thanks, Dan. It was the middle of the day and the lighting was a bit harsh and intense, but I tried to adjust as well as I could. (Maybe pro photographers have the luxury of waiting for optimal conditions,)
I wouldn’t know 🙂
The monarchs always come to Santa Cruz every year, quite a sight.