Have Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) started their migration southward? I thought that they were already gone from my area, but was delighted to spot this one on Tuesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in a newly blooming patch of goldenrod.
Is this butterfly a bit behind schedule? Perhaps this is a butterfly that started its migration journey from a point farther north and stopped in for a snack. Whatever the reason for its presence, my spotting of this beautiful butterfly added a colorful highlight to my day.
Keep your eyes open and look expectantly for colorful highlights in your own daily lives. That sense of joyful expectation will have a positive influence on your entire day.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
The migration surely has begun. Every October, Monarchs cross Galveston Bay, and I started seeing them on Monday. There are places in Texas where they gather in large numbers, but we’re always treated to flights of them on their way to their next stop before heading to their final destination.
Beautiful!
Ahhh, what a delightfully bright spot you have made in my day with this exquisite photo, Mike. Thank you.
Very Nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing your Great Image!
Terrific juxtaposition of colors! With the weather fronts, I’m certain migration is underway.
Very fine capture, Mike. I saw two here in MA on Sunday… definitely cutting it close to the edge as we’ve had several light frosts. So you’re likely to see a few stragglers yet to pass through.
Love little surprises like this that we get during the day, as long as we keep our eyes open, like you said. 🙂
I am always frustrated when I am wandering through wildlife parks and see people walking around with their faces pointed down at their phones. There is so much beauty that awaits us.
Soo true!
Yes, I am sure that it has. With our recent cold nights, they must have left here or else they might perish. You caught a nice image of this one one some fully flowered goldenrod.
We have lots of goldenrod in full bloom right now. As for Monarchs, I saw three of them yesterday in a single thistle patch. We are not yet having frost, but the temperatures are noticeably dropping.
Beautiful photo!
Very beautiful!
Thanks, Chris. The warm colors really worked well together.
The goldenrod seems to be curling its fingers over to welcome the monarch.
I love your evocative, poetic language, Gary–an apt metaphor.