Monarch butterfly and thistle

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Monarch butterfly and thistle

September 28, 2018 by Mike Powell

I suspect that all of the Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) will soon be leaving our area for warmer places, so I am really trying to enjoy each and every encounter with one. I spotted this beauty feeding on some kind of thistle plant thispast weekend at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Posted in Butterflies, Flowers, Insects, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, Danaus plexippus, Monarch, monarch butterfly, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Tamron 180mm, thistle, Woodbridge VA | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on September 28, 2018 at 7:22 am | Reply exploringcolour

Beautiful photo, such nice clear detail!
- on September 28, 2018 at 7:41 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Liz. I only had to do a minor crop on the right side because I had a bit too much space. I think that most of the time my sharpest shots are those when I am able to get close to the subject.
on September 28, 2018 at 7:51 am | Reply shoreacres

I’ve noticed that thistles tend to be among the latest bloomers, so I’ve learned to look for butterflies among them. I once found six (skippers, I think) on one flower — my photo wasn’t at all good, but I kept it as a reminder of what’s possible.
on September 28, 2018 at 10:20 am | Reply cihearu - Chronicles of a Bionic Woman

Lovely! The colors just pop right out
Carol
on September 28, 2018 at 10:54 am | Reply Jet Eliot

Spectacular photo, Michael — thanks for sharing this monarch moment with us.
- on September 29, 2018 at 7:41 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Jet. I can never get enough of monarchs. This has been a good year for spotting them in my area, but I suspect that their habitats continue to be at risk worldwide.
on September 28, 2018 at 11:23 am | Reply Bernie Kasper

Beautiful work !!
- on September 29, 2018 at 7:40 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Bernie.
on September 28, 2018 at 12:32 pm | Reply blhphotoblog

Very nice Mike!